Councilman David Salvatore (Ward 14) today issued the following statement regarding the passage of a bill the Providence City Council requested from state legislators that increases penalties for assaulting delivery drivers. The resolution was introduced by Councilman Salvatore and amended to include taxi drivers at the request of Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11).

“On behalf of the people of Providence, I commend state lawmakers for approving greater protections for delivery drivers, who are vulnerable to violent assault because they travel alone with cash on hand. No employee should face those kinds of risks, and many of these drivers are already struggling to pay their bills, holding second jobs to supplement their pay, and just getting by making make ends meet. I’m thankful to state legislators for supporting our efforts to ensure delivery drivers are more thoroughly protected while they’re on the job.”