CHEERS AT RAID HEARTEN MAYOR

Police Say They Have Been Trying To Be Visible When Searching
Suspected Drug Houses To Show Neighbors Their Complaints Are Heard.

Mayor Tom McMahon said Wednesday that he was encouraged residents
cheered police as they handcuffed and hauled away a pair of suspects
after a drug raid this week in the 100 block of North Third Street.

"I think this could be the start of neighbors from around the city
being able to step forward and be visible to take specific actions
to not only support our police officers, but disrupt the activity of
these people who are continuing to disrupt neighborhoods," McMahon said.

The mayor has organized anti-crime forums in response to growing gun
violence in the city, including the fatal shootings of two patrolmen
since 2004.

One problem mentioned often at the meetings is reluctance by some
residents to cooperate with police.

But it was complaints from neighbors that prompted the investigation
that led to the raid Tuesday night, police said. The rear of the
property abuts the parking lot of The GoggleWorks Center for Arts.

Neighbors cheered from their front porches as police raided the
apartment and arrested two men on charges they sold crack cocaine to
undercover officers.

Sgt. Michael E. Kalin of the vice division said police conducted the
raid while it was still light so neighbors could see they were
taking action to follow up complaints.

Narcotics investigators said they having been trying to be visible
when they execute search warrants at houses where uncover agents
have bought drugs.

Police said they seized a small amount of crack cocaine, about $400
and drug paraphernalia.

Members of the vice and narcotics division and VIPER arrested [Name
redacted], 23, who lives in the first-floor apartment, and [Name
redacted], 22, of the 800 block of [address redacted], without incident.

Undercover officers said they recently bought the drug twice from
both [Name redacted] and [Name redacted].

Both were committed to Berks County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail
following arraignment early Wednesday before Senior District Judge
John F. Dougherty in Reading Central Court.

Investigators said most of the people who bought drugs at the
apartment walked there, knocked on the front door, bought drugs and left.

A resident who asked not to be identified said she complained to
police because she was tired of watching an endless procession of
people walking to the house to buy drugs.

"I was glad that something was done about it," she said.

Some other residents said they weren't aware of any drug activity
until they saw newspaper reports of the arrests.

Others didn't want to know.

"I mind my own business," said another woman who declined to give
her name. "I find it's better that way."

Neighbors' complaints prompt many undercover investigations into
suspected drug houses, police said.

It's also common for neighbors to cheer after a raid, Chief William
M. Heim said.

"For the city resident to show their appreciation of what we're
doing is something we really do look forward to," Heim said.

(Reporter Jason Kahl contributed to this story.)