The Reading Police Department is joining law enforcement organizations nationwide on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, to celebrate the 2022 National Night Out locally.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.
“Despite the unfortunate challenges municipalities are experiencing throughout the country, our social media feed has been blessed on several occasions when our officers have engaged with our youth in a basketball match or gone the extra mile for a senior” said Mayor Moran in a statement.
“Our men and women in uniform are dedicated, hard-working, and passionate servants in the line of duty, sacrificing a lot to keep our city safe. 2021 was great, and for this year, they are planning their biggest event yet, taking over two entire blocks.”
Located on the 400 and 500 block of Penn Street from 5pm to 8pm, the event will feature a BBQ, music by a DJ, ice cream, open fire hydrants, a dunk tank, and over 40 community organizations.
Parking & Traffic
As Reading Police host its annual National Night Out celebration, a few blocks away, the Santander Arena will host the Rockzilla Tour featuring Papa Roach.
Due to the popularity of these events, the RPD Traffic Division has put together the following plan to ease traffic congestion.
National Night Out will observe the following accommodations, starting at noon: The 400 and 500 blocks of Penn St will be closed to all traffic, with barricades at 4th St and 6th St. 5th St will also be closed to all traffic between Court St and Cherry St, with barricades at each intersection.
Free parking for National Night Out, courtesy of the Reading Parking Authority, will be available at the 6th & Cherry flat lot and the 4th & Cherry Garage.
The Rockzilla Tour featuring Papa Roach at the Santander Area (doors open at 5pm, and the show starts at 6pm) will observe the following accommodations, starting at 3:30pm: Entering the city from the Penn Street bridge, a mobile message sign near 2nd & Penn will advise all concert attendees to turn left onto a designated lane on North 2nd St. and then turn right onto Court St. Court St. motorists will travel east with parking options in one of the following three garages: Reed & Court Garage for a fee of $15.00. DoubleTree Garage for a fee of $25.00 (VIP Parking). South Penn Garage for a fee of $15.00.
The 200 block of Penn St. will be restricted to eastbound traffic only. The 700 block of Penn St. will be closed to vehicle traffic with barricades at 7th St. and 8th St.
The 600 block of Penn St will have limited vehicle access and should only be used for the following purposes: Guests staying at The DoubleTree Hilton Hotel. Concert attendee drop-off who requires special access due to a disability. Anyone wanting to park in the VIP State Lot at 644 Penn St. with a parking fee of
$25.00.
Regular traffic flow is expected to be restored by 10pm. In addition, Reading Police officers will be assigned to affected intersections and other strategic areas to assist drivers and pedestrians. Detour signage, ‘No Parking’ signs, and additional notices will be posted throughout the routes to advise drivers of changes.
An interactive map and extended information can be found at readingpa.gov/visitors-map
