As released by the Office of the Dauphin County District Attorney.
_______________________
Harrisburg – The Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office has completed its review of the incident giving rise to the arrest of Harrisburg City Couniclwoman Sandra Reid on November 26, 2014, at a city gas station. District Attorney Edward M. Marsico, Jr. has determined that a summary charge of disorderly conduct is warranted against Ms. Reid. Ms. Reid unnecessarily inserted herself in an active arrest and ignored numerous requests to allow the police to continue their work at the scene of the arrest without interference. The District Attorney concluded that a misdemeanor charge of obstructing the administration of law did not apply to her conduct. That charge requires proof of force, violence, or similar unlawful act and there was no evidence of such conduct in this case.
The video surveillance from the gas station and the patrol car demonstrated that the two police officers involved acquitted themselves appropriately and with extraordinary patience throughout the incident. The officers had arrested a man who had been involved in an incident inside the gas station/convenience store with a woman whom he had prevented from leaving the store. Ms. Reid pulled into the station and her headlights shone into the face of the arrestee. Police asked Ms. Reid to turn off her lights and after a few requests she did turn off the lights, then turned them back on, before finally turning them off again. Ms. Reid then instructed the officers to take the arrested person inside the store, presumably on account of the cold. The temperature at the time of arrest was 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The arrestee, who was seated, seemed comfortable and was cooperative with the two officers there. During her interaction with the one officer, Ms. Reid demanded his name and badge number. Ms. Reid repeatedly berated the police during their detention of the person arrested. Ms. Reid had no connection to the arrested person or the circumstances that led to his arrest. Ms. Reid ignored numerous requests from the police to stop interfering with the arrest and detention of the man. After her arrest, Ms. Reid identified herself as a member of city council and indicated an intention to call the chief of police.
As part of its review process, the District Attorney’s office read a report of an earlier interaction between Ms. Reid and a Harrisburg Bureau of Police officer. On August 27, 2014, Ms. Reid confronted a uniformed officer in a marked vehicle near her house. The officer had his emergency lights on and was investigating the theft of a car on that street. Ms. Reid ordered the officer to move his car. When he informed her that he was conducting an official investigation, Ms. Reid threatened to call the chief of police. After the officer again informed her that he was conducting an official investigation, Ms. Reid repeated the order for the officer to move his car and demanded his name and badge number. After being informed that her neighbor’s car had been stolen, Ms. Reid responded, “Oh, I didn’t know”, and then let the officer continue his investigation. These charges are mere allegations and Ms. Reid is presumed innocent at this time.
___________________
Updated 6:30pm
As released by the Office of the Mayor.
HARRISBURG – Mayor Eric Papenfuse is calling for civil, open dialogue to try to ease tensions between law enforcement and many people in minority communities amid national protests over recent police killings of African American men.
“This is a time for both sides to step back and reflect on the reasons for the tensions and to examine what we can do as a community to ease hostilities,” the Mayor said. “I pledge to do my part to stimulate the discussions by taping a series of programs on WHBG Channel 20 that will look at the different perspectives on community and police relations in Harrisburg and beyond.”
Mayor Papenfuse will host the Channel 20 series that will begin in December and continue through next year. The Mayor will interview youth, law enforcement officers, educators, community activists as well as elected officials to delve into the reasons for the ongoing tensions that threaten public safety.
“The first show will focus on understanding the experiences of men of color who come into contact with law enforcement officers,” Mayor Papenfuse said. “Subsequent shows will look at the experiences of police officers as they patrol city streets and at efforts underway to improve community policing and reduce hostilities.”
Mayor Papenfuse also will participate in community forums on community relations and policing, including a 6 p.m. Jan. 12, 2015 event sponsored by Bethany A.M. E. Church, 912 21 St.
The Mayor expressed regret at the recent incident that led to the arrest of Councilwoman Sandra Reid on charges of obstruction of justice after she allegedly interfered with police officers as they were arresting a suspect at 15th and State Streets.
The District Attorney today reduced the charges against Reid to disorderly conduct.
“This was a most unfortunate incident that escalated too quickly,” Papenfuse said. “But it has inspired us to reflect on the underlying reasons for the tensions in our communities, and to work to address them to prevent the kind of unrest we are seeing in other cities.”