After months of negative public reaction to police all across the country, leaders in Berks County are trying to change the conversation.
Demonstrators are expected to pack Reading's City Park for a pro-police rally Saturday morning.
"We're all a community. We got to protect each other and we all got to back each other up," said retired Reading police Lt. Michael Kurtz. "I was hearing a lot of negative publicity about the police and it was starting to get really frustrating."
Chants could be heard in the streets of Reading during protests, and riots escalated in Ferguson, Missouri, and New York City. For months, people have been outraged after no charges were filed in connection with the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner.
According to police, Garner's death led to the killing of two NYPD officers.
"The deaths of those NYPD officers is just senseless. I mean, to me there's no reason," said Trish Wertz, who is helping organize the rally.
The negativity hits close to home for Wertz. Her husband, Scott Wertz, was a Reading police officer killed in the line of duty in 2006.
"I'm pro-police, and I just wanted to let the guys know that we support them, we care about them and we appreciate what they're doing," said Wertz.
Billboards highlighting the rally can be seen in Berks County, and social media has helped lead the charge.
The rally will feature multiple speakers, including local politicians, the Berks County district attorney, Reading's NAACP president, the Hispanic Center director and local law enforcement officials. Kurtz is hoping for a large turnout Saturday at 11 a.m. the bandshell in the park.
"Hopefully, it's just going to be one big community coming together to tell the police we really appreciate what they do," said Kurtz, who added the rally is to support all local law enforcement.
Since parking is limited, BARTA will offer a free shuttle service from Reading Area Community College.
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