At a press conference Thursday morning at City Hall, Police Chief Elias Vázquez announced a significant 21% reduction in crime across all major categories in the City of Reading in the first six months of 2024, marking a major milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance public safety.
“We are proud of this progress and grateful for the hard work of our officers and the support of our community,” Chief Vázquez said at the press conference. He highlighted the contributions of both the police force and residents in achieving this substantial decrease in crime.
Chief Vázquez also introduced several initiatives designed to strengthen the connection between the police and the community:
Public Roll Calls: Officers will meet at various locations throughout the city several times a month, providing residents the opportunity to engage with them directly and build stronger relationships.
Park and Walks: Officers not actively responding to calls will receive automated dispatches to areas of concern, allowing them to engage more closely with residents and increase their presence in critical areas.
Directed Patrols: Officers will be regularly patrolling locations with historical crime issues, acting as a visible deterrent to criminal activity and addressing quality of life concerns such as drug dealing and traffic violations.
“These initiatives are designed to not only reduce crime but to alleviate the fear of crime by making our officers more visible and accessible to the community,” Vázquez explained.
In addition to these new crime prevention strategies, Mayor Eddie Moran proudly announced the promotion of Lieutenant Luz Shade to Second Deputy Chief.
Lieutenant Shade has served with distinction in the department for over 12 years, excelling in roles such as Patrol, Internal Affairs, Missing Persons, and Community Response. Most recently, she worked as the Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Police. Shade’s extensive experience, combined with her background in social work and her academic achievements—including a Master’s in Legal Studies from Purdue University—make her uniquely qualified for her new leadership role.
“Lieutenant Shade’s leadership, dedication, and understanding of our community have made her the perfect choice for Second Deputy Chief,” said Mayor Moran. “She has been an integral part of our police department and has consistently demonstrated her commitment to the safety and well-being of our city.”
Deputy Chief Shade expressed her gratitude for the promotion, emphasizing her ongoing commitment to serving the residents of Reading with integrity and respect. “I am honored to have the opportunity to continue working with our amazing community, ensuring that our police department upholds the highest standards of excellence,” she said.
State Representative Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz also recognized Shade’s promotion, commending her for her dedication to the city and serving as a role model for future generations.
