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The Reading Police Department continues to monitor the COVID-19 Coronavirus, and is working closely with the Town Manager, Fire Department, Superintendent of Schools, Emergency Management Director and local public health officials.
Public safety is our primary responsibility and we will always respond immediately to 911 emergencies and urgent calls for service. In order to continue providing the best police services to the Town of Reading and its citizens, the Reading Police Department will be limiting our face-to-face interactions when possible. Officials are concerned with the health and well-being of our staff as well as the public we serve. As this virus continues to spread, the main goal is to maintain a healthy police force for the continuation of services without resorting to contingency plans.
Reading Police Department is suspending walk-in services as they pertain to fingerprinting, VIN checks, records requests, non-violent past offenses, medication drop-off, compost stickers, etc.
Resident stickers will no longer be available from dispatch. You must go to the second floor of the station and see one of the administrative assistants, Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check or exact cash only. Please call or email the police department for any records requests. Records Division: publicrecordsrequestrpd@ci.reading.ma.us, 781-942-6769.
For firearm licenses that are going to expire, please email the Armorer at LTC@ci.reading.ma.us and you will receive an extension letter covering you during this hold period. Officials are asking new applicants to wait to apply until the COVID-19 situation is over. For those that are renewing, most steps in the renewal process can be done online or through the mail.
Walk-in service for non-emergencies is suspended and we ask that you call the police station instead. As a temporary change, non-emergency matters may be reported over the phone to 781-944-1212 (#0) and an officer will be assigned to follow-up with you. This applies to a variety of less serious offenses that are NOT IN PROGRESS. In these cases, officers may utilize email for statements or photos needed for the report.
As always, if reporting an emergency, please dial 911. If it is determined that a response by an officer is warranted please understand that they are likely to keep a “safe distance” and unlikely to shake hands, etc. Again, this is out of an abundance of caution to keep our staff and the public safe and not an indicator of the officers’ friendliness or willingness to help.
Rest assured, that help is there for you as you would expect. Only temporary changes are being made to the way that services are provided, while being committed to the same excellent service that our community deserves.
Due to current events, the Reading Police Department will NOT allow medication drop off. If you would like a disposal packet that you can use at home to dissolve your medications, please contact emcnamara@ci.reading.ma.us with your name and mailing address and number of bottles to be disposed.
Help reduce prescription drug misuse.
- Store/lock any remaining bottles safely & away from children/teens
How to Provide An Anonymous Tip
You can provide an anonymous tip to the Reading Police Department by texting the keyword READINGPD and a message to 847411 (tip411). Alternatively, you can click here and provide a tip through an anonymous online form. Provide as much information with as much detail as possible. The images above give a good example of what is required for a proper response. The anonymous tip service has been extremely effective since its debut in 2011.
Is it Really Anonymous?
Yes, please be assured that all tips are completely anonymous as they are pruned of all identifying information by Citizen Observer, a leading provider in anonymous tip services nationwide. Questions regarding how this pruning process works should be directed at the company directly by calling (888) 952-2200 or by visiting their website by clicking here.
https://www.readingma.gov/police-department/pages/provide-an-anonymous-tip
Learn more about the service at Interface_Reading_and_What_to_Expect_When_You_Call.pdf
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