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Reading Police Chief: Department ‘Inundated’ with ‘Complaints About the Arrest’

by The Lancaster Patriot Staff
June 8, 2023
in PA News
26
Reading Police Chief: Department ‘Inundated’ with ‘Complaints About the Arrest’

Reading Police Chief Richard Tornielli speaks at a news conference in 2021. (YouTube/City of Reading, PA)

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Reading Police Chief Richard Tornielli said that the Reading Police Department on Tuesday and Wednesday “fielded hundreds of calls on phone lines” regarding the arrest of a man quoting the Bible on a public sidewalk.

“Since the arrest of Damon Atkins, the Reading Police Department Communications Center has been inundated with phone calls from individuals voicing complaints about the arrest,” Tornielli said in a statement provided to 69 News.

Tornielli said the complaints have distracted police communication personnel from fielding calls related to incidents taking place in the city. “This potentially creates a dangerous situation causing delays in police responses,” he said.

According to the statement, Tornielli claims many of the calls contained “threats to police personnel.” He said the department is investigating the calls with threatening language and “will pursue charges where appropriate.”

On June 3, Atkins was arrested for preaching on a public sidewalk across the street from City Hall, where the city of Reading’s first-ever “pride rally” was occurring. A viral video, recorded by Matthew Wear, shows the entire incident.

In the video, police sergeant Bradley McClure appears to agree with Atkins that he is on public property, but proceeds to arrest him after Atkins says, “God is not the.”

According to 69 News, Tornielli said Atkins was being disruptive and disorderly and was taken into custody because of what he was saying.

Atkins told The Lancaster Patriot that he was going to quote a portion of 1 Corinthians 14:33, which says, “God is not the author of confusion.”

“Our officers gave him warnings to cease that behavior as it was disrupting the event that was taking place,” said Tornielli, according to 69 News.

The pride rally was occurring across a two-lane street from where Atkins was standing.

Reading city Mayor Eddie Moran, who participated in the pride rally, said it was a “wonderful event,” and claimed that Atkins’ First Amendment rights did not include the right to speak publicly across the street from the event.

“With regard to the incident, the City respects the First Amendment rights of all individuals,” Moran said in a statement provided to 69 News. “However, freedom of speech does not include the right to disrupt an organized event and interfere with the rights of others.”

Both the office of the mayor and the Reading police department have official liaisons “to the LGBTQ Community” listed on the city of Reading’s website.

“While the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act prohibits some discrimination, it does not protect LGBTQ Pennsylvanians from discrimination,” the city of Reading’s official website says. “Mayor Eddie Moran and his administration believe that LGBTQ citizens should be included in these kinds of protections. We look forward to working with the LGBTQ community in helping to make Reading an inclusive, diverse, and fair city. If you have suggestions or would like to become involved in supporting making Reading a more LGBTQ-friendly city, please contact one of our LGBTQ community liaisons.”

Atkins was initially charged with disorderly conduct, but upon reviewing the video footage, the Berks County District Attorney promptly dropped all charges against Atkins.

Tags: bradley mccluredamon atkinsrichard tornielli
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Comments 26

  1. Mr. Ryan Miller says:
    2 years ago

    Both the Mayor and the arresting officer might wanna brush up on the 1st amendment. Any citizen has a right to speak regardless of the emotional stability of those may hear words. Emotional response to any particular word is not an unalienable right to not be offended. Arrest the mayor for I’m offended by his words. That’s goofy let alone unenforceable. The officer impulsively acted under Color of Law in his private capacity, inconsistent with his oath to uphold and protect the rights of those he servers. Training is required or more victims of his ignorance will follow.

    Reply
    • Ken ortiz says:
      2 years ago

      . The mayor and police should be held accountable

      Reply
  2. CZSeventy5 says:
    2 years ago

    And when will charges be brought against this officer? When will the city be announcing his firing?

    Reply
    • Patricia Janda says:
      2 years ago

      Great question, I’d like to know the answer to that as well!

      Reply
    • PAUL says:
      2 years ago

      All 3 of those cops need to be removed from the force and I hope he sues them. We have to fight back against bad cops and tyranny.

      Reply
  3. Lisa says:
    2 years ago

    From a LEO family this is a disgusting show of pure evil from the “brothers in blue”. Wow, just wow!!!

    Reply
  4. john mosher says:
    2 years ago

    This cop would have functioned well in 1930’s Germany.

    Reply
  5. Daniel says:
    2 years ago

    Tornielli said the complaints have distracted police communication personnel from fielding calls related to incidents taking place in the city. “This potentially creates a dangerous situation causing delays in police responses,” he said.

    So in other words Tornielli is saying all of these calls reporting the crime of sergeant McClure which took place in the city, are interfering with other calls reporting incidents in the city. Got it.

    Reply
  6. Joe Dirt says:
    2 years ago

    I’m really shocked at the ignorance of the law by the police and the mayor. I guess actually knowing and understanding the constitution is not a requirement for a public servant in PA. The mayor even admitted to such. I think it’s time for regular normal people to run for office.

    Reply
    • QKurutz says:
      2 years ago

      The mayor, chief and officer are tyrannical idiots! They took it upon themselves to change the law to fit their narrative! All three need reprimanded and should be forced to attend classes in constitutional law!!! Voters remember this next election and vote out Eddie Moran!

      Reply
  7. J R FOL says:
    2 years ago

    Please post the email addresses of the chief and Sgt. Bradley McClure.

    Reply
  8. William Gonzales says:
    2 years ago

    The mayor and the Sgt. are tyrants who have no business holding their positions. Their lack of fundamental speech rights is abhorrent.

    Reply
    • Rob mills says:
      2 years ago

      that officer should be fired and Mr. Atkins should file lawsuits against the Officer for violation of his 1st amendment right. as someone who has served in the military to protect the constitutional rights of the U.S. citizens this is a slap in the face.

      Reply
  9. Christopher Green says:
    2 years ago

    The mayor, and police chief need to have training in Constitutional Law. It all starts from the top. It’s no surprise these officers violated the preachers 1st Amendment Rights, as the top brass didn’t even understand those rights. It’s going to have to take a huge lawsuit in order to teach these leaders a lesson in Constitutional law,

    Reply
  10. David J says:
    2 years ago

    I can understand a police officer being ignorant of the law, I don’t absolve him of his ignorance and he should be required to learn the laws he is paid to uphold, but I can understand ignorant people’s ignorance. What I do not understand is how this mayor, Eddie Moran, can not only be ignorant as well, but then after legal advisement double-down with an egregiously ignorant statement that, in essence, says that speech that someone might find offensive is not protected speech and the arrest was lawful. BS, that sort of juvenile emotion based argument is pathetic, easily proven invalid with thousands of scenarios that would take the most minimum of objective thought that I’m actually embarrassed for himand his pea brained thoughts. I hope the unlawfully arrested man sues the cop, mayor, and city to at the very least provide those responsible for such decisions are educated enough to act lawfully in the future. For the record, Im a registered Dem, support pride events in general, and an atheist for thirty-three years and counting.

    Reply
  11. Rob Adams says:
    2 years ago

    F***ing disgraceful. This officer need to lose his qualified immunity for this egregious act. Do something, or the people will.

    Reply
  12. steve says:
    2 years ago

    This is a marked shame on the state. Already known for its corruption, they should be repenting for the sins committed against the Lord. Of note, it might be worth having a body cam if you speak the truth because the cops can’t make up stuff and put you in jail, someone recording this….did a good job. If you record it, you should also be careful, they will put you in jail too.

    Reply
  13. Mark A Monday says:
    2 years ago

    The Mayor, police chief and the arresting officer should all be fired.

    Reply
  14. Frank says:
    2 years ago

    This police chief is also an idiot. The only thing to say is, “we made a mistake, that officer made a huge mistake arresting that man and we take full responsibility.” Do not deflect to people calling. They have the right to call and complain and they should… all of us should until you stop breaking the law and violating citizens constitutional rights.

    Reply
  15. Ben says:
    2 years ago

    Hold a put Jesus back in schools rally of some sort in the same area. If any protesters show up & yell, ask the officers to arrest them. If not, then there is a severe case of discrimination here. This needs to be tested. Lets see how much they support the 1st amendment when the roles are switched.

    Reply
  16. Erik Ek says:
    2 years ago

    A little cheese with that whine, Chief ?

    Reply
  17. Carlos Reyes says:
    2 years ago

    Yes I’m waiting to hear the same myself…when will he, the chief and the Mayor be fired?

    Reply
  18. C wat says:
    2 years ago

    The First Amendment Right does protect someone from standing across the street and saying whatever they want AS LONG AS it isn’t threatening. PERIOD. That is why soldiers families had to deal with those idiots, Westboro Baptist Church that showed up at their funerals screaming profanity and hate speech. That’s why the government has to deal with people saying 9/11 was it inside job and all the other theories throughout the years. Because as long as it’s not threatening, The First Amendment protects you. I cannot believe the gross and incompetence this mayor and police have shown.

    Reply
  19. Joseph W Smith Jr says:
    2 years ago

    WOW!!!! Infringe on the Constitutional Rights of others much? I’m not writing because I agree or disagree with the two sides protesting, and quite honestly don’t care either way. What I am here about though is the eye opening display of ignorance by the police department and other public officials in illegally enforcing the rights of a particular view to appease others with a oppositional view.

    I thought the police were there to enforce the law, and not act as feelings police. Weren’t they hired to uphold the United States of America Constitution and Amendments, not those we want to enforce because of the way someone’s opinion. As a matter a fact I believe this is viewed in several different Supreme Court cases that show just because exercise your rights to assemble and protest. It ishowing the ignorance of the Law Enforcement Community and Judicial system at large. If you are going to enforce the law actually know what you can enforce.

    And why is this a 1st Amendment issue… Hmmm I can count five ways.. Freedom of Religion, Freedom of the Press, Freedom to Redress our government, Freedom of Speech, and of course Freedom to assemble. ALL OF WHICH TOOK PLACE IN A PUBLIC PLACE!!!!

    WHAT TYPE OF BS ARE OUR ELECTED GOVERNMENT LEADERS, EMPLOYEES OF GOVERNMENT, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND JUDICIAL SYSTEM TRYING TO FEED US?? I’VE CHOSEN TO STAND UP FOR OTHERS AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO.

    THE FIRST 10 AMENDMENTS ARE CLEARLY EXHIBITED AS “BILL OF RIGHTS” FOR A REASON!!!

    Reply
  20. james says:
    2 years ago

    everyone call the police chief at 610-655-6415 call for this officer be fired call him over and over and over call all their numbers over and over and over until they do the right thing

    https://www.readingpa.gov/contact-the-reading-police-by-phone their phone numbers

    Reply
  21. Derrick Harrison says:
    2 years ago

    Ah, So the Reading Police Chief is so sorry that he threatens the public that called to display their disapproval at his leadership! Wow, So do you people realize what they think of you now? Unbelievable, they really don’t understand who pays their salaries! People should make it their job to call their representatives and voice their displeasure at his “deaf eared” sentiments.

    Reply

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