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Reading Police to Participate in ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign

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Reading Police Department
David Clark, Deputy Chief
15 Union St.
Reading, MA 01867

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Reading Police to Participate in ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign

READING — Deputy Chief David Clark reports that the Reading Police Department will be increasing the number of patrols on local roads as part of a national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.

The campaign is an initiative of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division and will continue through the remainder of the summer and into the fall. Additional patrols by the Reading Police Department are being funded for the initiative by a grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

Police urge motorists who have been drinking or using marijuana or other drugs to plan ahead and designate a driver, use a ride-sharing service or take public transportation.

“Impaired driving is incredibly dangerous, and endangers the lives of the driver, passengers, nearby motorists and pedestrians,” Deputy Chief Clark said. “We urge residents– never, ever drive while impaired by any substance. Plan ahead: designate a sober driver or use public transportation.”

Reading Police will have several officers on the lookout for impaired and reckless drivers over the coming weeks. Everyone is reminded to never get behind the wheel if they have been drinking and to never get into a vehicle if the driver is impaired.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 30 people are killed daily in the United States by crashes that involve impaired driving, killing approximately 10,000 people each year.

The Reading Police Department is joining 140 local law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth, as well as the Massachusetts State Police, by enhancing its efforts to keep impaired drivers off the road.

“The most important responsibility of anyone behind the wheel is to drive safely,” said Jeff Larason, director of the OGR Highway Safety Division. “As summer vacation turns into back-to-school season, it’s important that motorists take seriously their responsibility to stay sober and alert.”

If you are charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you will lose your license and could face jail time and incur the cost of significant fines and expenses.

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Reading Police Department Invites Residents to Attend Annual Citizen Police Academy

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Reading Police Department
David Clark, Deputy Chief
15 Union St.
Reading, MA 01867

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Reading Police Department Invites Residents to Attend Annual Citizen Police Academy

READING — Deputy Chief David Clark is pleased to announce that residents can now signup for the Reading Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy this fall.

The program is open to anyone 16 or older, and minors must obtain parental permission to attend. While out-of-town locals are welcome to sign up, if the class begins to reach capacity preference will be given to Reading residents.

Classes will be held every Tuesday from Sept. 17 through Nov. 12, from 7-9 p.m. in the community room at the Reading Police Station at 15 Union St. Those that attend a minimum of six classes will have the opportunity to participate in a ride along with a Reading Police officer.

Various members of the Reading Police Department will lead classes in their fields of expertise over the course of the nine week program, and topics will include investigations, firearms, dispatch procedures, traffic safety, accident investigations, domestic violence, community policing, operating under the influence procedures, Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) and Rapid Response Team (R.R.T.) operations, emergency response, police and schools, crime prevention and patrol procedure.

A graduation ceremony for the program will be held during the last session of the program, on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

To sign up for the course, please contact Community Service Officer Kristen O’Shaughnessy by calling 781-942-6761 or by emailing [email protected].

Reading Police Charge Pair With Drug Violations Following Pursuit

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Reading Police Department
David Clark, Deputy Chief
15 Union St.
Reading, MA 01867

For Immediate Release

Monday, July 22, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Reading Police Charge Pair With Drug Violations Following Pursuit

READING — Deputy Chief David Clark reports that two men were charged with multiple offenses following a traffic stop Monday morning.

PHILIP CARTER, AGE 37, OF CHELMSFORD was arrested and charged with:

  • Illegal Possession of a Class A Substance (Subsequent Offense)
  • Disturbing the Peace
  • Possession of Fireworks
  • Malicious Destruction of Property
  • Operating a Motor Vehicle After License Suspension
  • Failure to Stop for Police
  • Operating a Motor Vehicle Negligently as to Endanger
  • Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign (Two Counts)
  • Failure to Stop at a Red Light
  • Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Property Damage
  • Seat Belt Violation

Additionally, PETER CARTER, AGE 34, OF CHELMSFORD was arrested and charged with:

  • Illegal Possession of a Class E Substance
  • Disturbing the Peace
  • Illegal Possession of a Class A Substance (Subsequent Offense)
  • Possession of Fireworks
  • Interfering with a Police Investigation
  • Seat Belt Violation

On Monday, July 22, at 6:55 a.m., Reading Police were dispatched to Dunkin’ Donuts, 454 Main St., for a report of a disorderly group at that location, with a further report that the individuals had left the scene in a Blue Ford F-350.

While en route, an officer observed the suspects’ vehicle traveling north on Village Street and began following it as it turned left onto Haven Street. The vehicle then immediately turned left onto Elliot Street, where the officers initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the two men inside, later identified as PHILIP and PETER CARTER. Police also identified the individuals as the ones who had allegedly caused the disturbance at Dunkin’ Donuts.

As officers at the scene of the stop attempted to investigate, they observed several large duffel bags in the rear of the vehicle, including one that was unzipped and appeared to contain fireworks. During the initial traffic stop, Reading Police dispatch was notified by Andover Police that the same truck was potentially involved in a separate incident in that community.

When asked to exit the vehicle to aid in the investigation, PHILIP CARTER drove away from the scene of the stop, disobeying a stop sign as he turned onto Green Street and again as he turned onto Route 28. Officers briefly pursued the vehicle as it ran a red light while turning onto Pleasant Street, where it then stopped before the pair exited and fled on foot. Through further investigation, Reading Police determined that the truck had crashed into another vehicle. There were no injuries as a result of the crash.

Both men were captured a short time later with the assistance of additional Reading Police officers, as well as Massachusetts State Police, through the support of civilian witnesses. During the foot pursuit, PHILIP CARTER allegedly damaged a portion of fencing.

After being taken into custody, both men were searched and officers found several dozen pills, including Clonidine, Clonazepam and Gabapentin — all Class E narcotics — in PETER CARTER’S possession.

Additionally, officers found a large amount of cash and a plastic bag containing a substance consistent with heroin, as well as second bag containing an unknown white substance in PHILIP CARTER’S possession.

During a subsequent inventory of the suspects’ vehicle, officers located a variety of fireworks, a syringe containing a brown liquid consistent with heroin.

“This arrest is the result of a concerted effort by several officers, and would not have been possible without the support of the Massachusetts State Police and eyewitnesses who helped officers locate the suspects,” Deputy Chief Clark said. “I want to thank everyone who assisted in apprehending these individuals, and I’m grateful that several dangerous narcotics were taken off our streets.”

Reading Police detectives are working with Andover Police detectives to support the Andover Police Department’s ongoing investigation.

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Reading Police Department to Undergo Voluntary Assessment for Re-Accreditation

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Reading Police Department
David Clark, Deputy Chief
15 Union St.
Reading, MA 01867

For Immediate Release

Monday, June 10, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Reading Police Department to Undergo Voluntary Assessment for Re-Accreditation

READING — Deputy Chief David Clark is pleased to announce that a team of assessors from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission (MPAC) is scheduled to arrive on Wednesday, June 25 to begin examining various aspects of the Reading Police Department’s policies, procedures, operations and facilities.

Verification by the Assessment Team that the Department meets MPAC’s standards is part of a voluntary process to gain or retain state Accreditation — a self-initiated evaluation process by which police departments strive to meet and maintain standards that have been established for the profession, by the profession.

The Massachusetts Police Accreditation Program consists of 257 mandatory standards as well as 125 optional standards. In order to achieve accreditation status, the Department must meet all applicable mandatory standards as well as a percentage of the optional standards. The Reading Police Department is seeking its third re-accreditation. The Reading Police Department has been fully accredited by MPAC since 2013.

“The Reading Police Department is looking forward to this opportunity to pursue our third accreditation through the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission,” Deputy Chief Clark said. “Achieving accreditation signifies that a department is in line with the highest quality policing standards, and this process also allows us to continually improve our department’s services as we go through each assessment.”

Achieving Accreditation is a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence. Anyone interested in learning more about this program is invited to call Deputy Chief Clark or the Department’s Accreditation Manager Lt. Christine Amendola at 781-944-1212.

“A great deal of work goes into each accreditation, and every time we undergo this process we showcase the great work ongoing within our department,” Lt. Amendola said. “It’s exciting, and it also pushes us to continue to grow and improve.”

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