Office Of The Mayor
Thomas M. McMahon


PRESS RELEASE

For More Information:
Crystal Edwards 610-655-6613
Office of the Mayor 610-655-6234

MAYOR CHALLENGES CITY RESIDENTS TO TAKE ACTION AT THIRD FORUM

October 2, 2006: A diverse group made up of Mayor Thomas McMahon, City Managing Director Leon Churchill, members of City Council, Police Chief William Heim, civic, education, community life, and neighborhood groups and residents from every corner of the City of Reading gathered today with a common purpose– taking action to combat the city’s crime problem.

"One outcome of the very tragic death of Reading Police Officer Scott Wertz is the realization of all parties-elected officials, the judicial systems, the social and civic agencies and ordinary, everyday citizens that we all must roll up our sleeves and work together to discover solutions which will fight crime,” says Mayor McMahon, “We cannot leave it to our police department alone. I am pleased that so many citizens have and will continue to give us their ideas and input and cooperation to bring a new era of crime fighting in our city."

Police Chief William Heim concurred remarking on the enormous crime-fighting potential that exists by simply getting these different groups of people in the same room together. "These crime forums provide the opportunity for citizens to take their concerns and ideas directly to their elected and appointed officials,” he explains, “They also have the chance to meet and interact with members of the city's many neighborhood associations, and to join them in making the city safer."

The first two crime forums were organized to allow city residents the chance to express their feelings about why the city’s crime problems exist. The third crime forum was designed to encourage residents to get involved in their community, an action that was stated as a suggested solution to the city’s crime problems by a number of city residents at the first two forums.