One month after the City of Reading activated its new gate and camera system along Skyline Drive, city officials report that 27 summary citations have been issued at the Pagoda.
The system, which became fully operational on April 1, is part of a broader initiative to improve safety and deter disruptive behavior at the historic overlook and surrounding areas. The installation of gates and security cameras was announced last year in response to repeated complaints of illegal dumping, loud music, and large, unruly gatherings.
Under the plan, gates at List Road and Skyline Drive, as well as Duryea Drive and Shearer Road, automatically close at 9:00 p.m. and reopen at 7:00 a.m. each day. Visitors remaining in the area after hours may be subject to citations or fines. Police departments in Reading and Lower Alsace Township have remote access to the gates to respond to emergencies, and surveillance cameras now monitor the area continuously.
According to the Reading Police Department, the 27 citations issued between April 1 and May 1 reflect enforcement of the new rules. While the city has not specified the nature of each citation, they are consistent with efforts to prevent after-hours access and other prohibited activity.
City officials say the new system is intended to preserve the character of the mountaintop park while maintaining public access during appropriate hours.
The city has emphasized that the closure of Skyline Drive overnight should have minimal impact on drivers, with an alternate route measuring roughly the same distance as the restricted portion. Clear signage and designated turnarounds have been put in place to aid motorists.
