I was horrified to hear reports that at 6 A.M. this morning, a woman was pulled from her car and beaten by ATV riders while her eight-month-old child was in the car with her. As a husband, father and resident of Providence, this news is disturbing and deeply unsettling.

Firstly, the victim and her family are in my prayers. I have been in contact with Commander Verdi and he assures me the Police Department is working swiftly to apprehend the individuals who committed this heinous act of violence.

I am calling on my council colleagues to suspend our August recess to convene an emergency City Council as a Whole meeting. I am calling on Mayor Elorza, Commissioner Pare and the Providence Police Department to join us to discuss their plan to address the violence in our city, which has become an out of control, almost daily threat to the safety of our residents.

As local leaders, we owe it to our community to create systems which ensure that our city is a safe place to live and work. A woman driving in her car with her infant child should not have to fear being a victim of brutal physical violence.

The gun violence, the physical attacks and reckless behavior of individuals in our city have resulted in grief, loss, and fear in our community. It is time for the city to take decisive action to put a stop to this senseless violence and better serve the people trying to make a home in the city of Providence.

David Salvatore
Councilman, Ward 14
Providence City Council