Code amendment aims at cracking down on noise in Reading parks

Jul. 15—Two recent amendments to the city's parks-use codes are aimed at cracking down on disturbances of the peace at public recreation sites.

City Council unanimously approved measures this week prohibiting noise disturbances in city parks and properties, and allowing Reading police and other agencies authorized to enforce laws with the city to seize and destroy devices in violation of the noise law.

"We've discussed this quite a bit," Councilman Christopher Daubert said, "that our residents deserve high quality of life, and this, hopefully, will go some ways to helping that."

Violations can include operating or playing a radio, television, phonograph, musical instrument, sound amplifier, automobile stereo, loudspeaker or other device, not in connection with the lawful operation of an emergency vehicle, parade, public assembly, or other permitted activity between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. or in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance to any person other than the operator of the device.

The law previously allowed police to seize such devices as evidence only, Police Chief Richard Tornielli said during a discussion of the issue last month.

The action Monday was taken in response to long-standing complaints of loud music and noise at the Pagoda and other city-owned mountaintop recreation areas, and the more recent issues with noise in the Riverfront Park area.

"I just want to commend the governing body of City Council here tonight for bringing this up and taking an action to again listen to the concerns of the citizens," Mayor Eddie Moran said.

The mayor's office has received numerous complaints from city residents and residents of nearby municipalities impacted by the loud music and other noises emanating from the two recreation hot spots.

Last month representatives of Lower Alsace Township and West Reading asked city police and council to take action to curtail and control the large and raucous gatherings at Reading's recreation areas.

The noise not only affects the quality of life for city residents, they said, but also for those living in neighboring municipalities.

Citations for noise have been issued at both locations, Tornielli said earlier this month at a City Council committee-of-the-whole meeting.

However, during the first six months of this year, he said, city police received only 16 calls for noise at Riverfront Park and nine for noise at the Pagoda.

"I think there's a lot of drama whipped up about both of these locations that isn't supported by the facts," the chief said. "And I think that's a disservice to the work that our officers are doing."

Most — 80% — of the 236 incidents on the mountain this year were generated by the department's proactive patrols and were not a result of complaint calls, he said.

Tornielli said his departments recent collaborations with the public works department to secure the area around the Pagoda with gates and to paint yellow-curb no-parking zones along Riverfront Drive has helped. And, police will continue routine patrols at both locations.

The newly passed code amendments give the police more power to enforce any remaining noise issues in those and other city recreation areas.

"I think this is critical," Councilwoman Marcia Goodman Hinnershitz said. "Our parks are places for relaxation and enjoyment."

Uncontrollable noise is harmful to the city's parks and its residents, she said.

Goodman-Hinnershitz said the city needs to place signs in its parks informing the public of the consequences of the new law, and find other ways of getting the word out.

She also recommended monitoring the enforcement of the noise laws and the number of reported incidents on a monthly basis.