The City of Reading said four illegal or unpermitted after-hours clubs were shut down and 135 directed police patrols were conducted as part of a coordinated enforcement effort following changes to the city’s disruptive conduct ordinance earlier this year.
According to the city, the Reading Police Department conducted a six-week enforcement operation during May and June targeting locations with known after-hours club activity. The operation involved the Reading Fire Marshal’s Office, Property and Codes Enforcement and assistance from Pennsylvania Liquor Control Enforcement.
During the operation, police conducted 135 directed patrols. Four locations were shut down and placarded, and each was issued a public nuisance warning notice. The city said targeted enforcement has continued at other locations where after-hours club activity has been identified.
The enforcement followed updates to Chapter 198 of the City Code, which strengthened the city’s process for documenting disruptive conduct and holding property owners accountable when repeated incidents occur.
Under the ordinance, after two documented disruptive conduct incidents involving an occupant within a 12-month period, the property owner must begin eviction proceedings against the occupant or pursue an appeal. Failure to take the required action can begin the process of suspending the property’s housing permit.
The Fire Marshal’s Office said the four locations targeted during the operation were posted as unsafe structures because of illegal changes in use. Inspectors also documented a total of 18 additional violations of the city’s Fire Prevention Code at the properties.
Subsequent reinspections determined that the buildings had discontinued the illegal uses, according to the city. Property owners and occupants were also provided information about the legal process available to pursue changes in use.
“The provisions contained in the City of Reading Fire Prevention Code are key to the safety of occupants in existing buildings,” Fire Marshal Jeremy Searfoss said. “Our office focuses on education first, followed by enforcement when necessary. Education is key to decreasing injuries during emergencies and helping property owners and occupants understand how to safely use buildings within the built environment.”
Mayor Eddie Morán said the ordinance changes were intended to give the city additional tools to address ongoing problems involving properties being used for unauthorized purposes.
“Public safety doesn’t stop at a certain time of day, and it doesn’t stop because a property is being used in a way that wasn’t permitted,” Morán said. “We made changes to the City’s ordinance because we needed stronger tools to address ongoing problems, and now we’re seeing our departments put those tools to work. This is about making sure our neighborhoods are safe and that property owners understand they have a responsibility to what’s happening at their properties.”
Police Chief Javier Ruiz described the enforcement as a coordinated effort involving city departments and state partners.
“Our officers conducted 135 directed patrols during this operation, and we took action at locations where violations were identified,” Ruiz said. “We will continue to work with our City partners to address illegal after-hours activity and pursue enforcement when warranted.”
The city did not identify the four locations in its announcement.
Reading officials said police, the Fire Marshal’s Office, Property and Codes Enforcement and outside agencies would continue working together to identify illegal and unpermitted after-hours establishments and address activity that threatens public safety and neighborhood quality of life.
