Police, Community Combine To Redesign Public Interview Room

A release from the Reading Police Department:

READING – The Reading Police Department, with assistance from Reading Memorial High School students and local businesses, has redesigned its public interview room according to Deputy Chief David Clark.

The interview room, located off of the lobby at the Reading Police Department, is used for any community member seeking help or advice from an officer.

The room now features family-friendly colored murals painted by Reading Memorial High School students Megan Coram and Jahnavi Patel. These students were recommended by Principal Kathleen Boynton, and worked with the police department to discuss the design of the paintings. Reading Police would like to thank Megan and Jahnavi for their work and dedication to the project.

“I am pleased our students were able to be involved in such a meaningful project,” said Principal Boynton. “With their hard work, the room has been transformed into a welcoming and family-friendly space.”

Other additions to the room include comfortable seating, children’s toys and books and a chalkboard wall for drawing.

The work put into redesigning the room was a true community project.

“The newly designed interview room is another example of the positive collaboration between the Reading Police Department and the Reading Public Schools,” said Reading Public Schools Superintendent Dr. John Doherty. “This collaboration is important for creating and maintaining a safe and supportive school environment for all of our students.”

Deputy Chief Clark believes the redesigned room better reflects the department’s community-policing philosophy and hopes the changes create a more welcoming environment.

“This project would not have been possible without our continued collaboration with the Reading Public Schools and the local businesses that donated furniture and supplies to us,” said Deputy Chief Clark. “No coat of paint or piece of furniture can solve someone’s problem. But, by making the room more inviting, we can at least help a person be more comfortable while they receive assistance.”

Reading Police would also like to thank the following community members and local businesses for their contributions to the room: Jordan’s Furniture for donating a couch; Village Carpet for donating an area rug; Whitelam Books for donating children’s books; The Paint Store with the Purple Door for donating paint and supplies; Staples; local illustrator Scott Magoon for an illustrated picture made for the room; and Atlantic Framing for donating a frame for the picture.