Pubdate: Tue, 19 Jul 2005
Source: Reading Eagle-Times (PA)
Copyright: 2005 Reading Eagle Company
Contact:  http://www.readingeagle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1399

TOUGH CODES ACTION IS A WELCOMED MOVE

The Issue: City codes officials placard a pool hall after shooting.

Our Opinion: It's good to see the codes department taking a tough, 
active role in reclaiming the city from the thugs.

City codes officials are to be applauded for joining the fight to 
reclaim Reading's streets from the gunslinging thugs whose acts of 
violence are hampering the city's economic recovery.

In May, Reading initiated a policy of inspecting businesses and 
residences in which or near which a violent act had occurred.

The policy was put into action earlier this month after a gun battle 
in a parking lot outside Stadium Billiards, 1900 Centre Ave., next to 
FirstEnergy Stadium. One man was wounded.

Police said an argument began in the pool hall sometime around 3:40 
a.m. and spilled out onto the parking lot where 22 shots were fired 
from at least four guns.

The owner of the business, Jose W. Rosario, said entertainers from a 
nearby club were in the pool hall to meet fans and sign autographs.

City code inspectors placarded the business noting that it did not 
have permits to hold events and to be open at that time.

It was the second time in less than a month that the parking lot 
outside the pool hall had been the scene of violence. Police closed 
the business June 12 after shots were fired in the parking lot during 
a private party.

Rosario bought the pool hall July 6 and reopened it on July 9, the 
day the second shooting occurred.

To some, the actions of the city codes department may seem a bit 
ruthless, but this is exactly what is needed to bring some sanity 
back to the city's streets.

With the Sovereign Center and the Sovereign Performing Acts Center 
bringing people back into Reading and with various other building 
projects under way, the city can't afford to allow businesses to 
undermine the progress that is being made.

For too long, Reading has been held in the grip of thugs determined 
to ply their drug trade and terrorize the city. The streets have been 
turned into shooting galleries, making Reading the most violent city 
per capita in Pennsylvania.

We don't know if drugs were a factor in the shooting outside Stadium 
Billiards, but the city codes department has sent a strong message to 
business owners, as well as landlords, that their livelihoods will be 
jeopardized if they don't keep their businesses clean.

After all of the studies, reports and promises, it's good to see the 
codes department taking a tough, active role in turning Reading back 
into a safe place to live and work.
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MAP posted-by: Beth