During the extended Independence Day holiday weekend, the Reading Police Department responded to 215 fireworks-related incidents in the City of Reading, which included 16 significant seizures of large aerial fireworks and two seizures of improvised explosive devices, according to Reading Police Department Chief Richard Tornielli.
Firework enforcement efforts were directed at locations and incidents that were assessed to have a significant impact on public safety, said Tornielli in a statement Tuesday.
Over the weekend, no injuries or structure fires related to firework incidents were reported to the Reading Police or Fire Departments.
On Sunday, July 4, 2021, at approximately 11:19 pm, the Reading Fire Department EMS personnel requested an emergency response from the Reading Police Department to the 500 block of Cedar Street relative to a large crowd interfering with them providing medical care to an individual.
As officers arrived on location, EMS personnel were surrounded by 20-30 persons, many of whom were relatives of the patient, that were preventing them from rendering aid and moving the patient to an ambulance. Tornielli said all on-duty police personnel responded to the scene and clear the crowd in order for the patient to be safely transported to the hospital.
During the extended holiday weekend from Friday, July 3rd through Monday, July 5th, the Reading Police Department responded to 684 calls for service and conducted 48 directed deployments of personnel targeting violent crime and quality of life issues.
During that time, only ten UCR Part 1 Crimes were reported that included three assaults, five thefts, one burglary and one stolen vehicle.
“These statistics are a testament to the dedication, professionalism, and hard work demonstrated by the women and men of the Reading Police Department” said Tornielli.
“Our officers, investigators, and supervisors should be commended for the exceptional work performed under very challenging circumstances at times that helped keep the residents and visitors of the City of Reading safe during the Independence Day weekend.”
