by Abigail Appel | Aug 18, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1
The South Water Street Trail will provide a safe and enjoyable transportation option for our families, children, and community.
Bike-friendly street infrastructure makes streets safer for everyone — pedestrians, business patrons, visitors — not just bicyclists. Most importantly, this is an opportunity to be less car-centric and create a more equitable, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly ward and city.
This particular street has been under siege from speeding cars, ATVs, and other non-pedestrian-friendly activities for years. Many of our constituents, including local resident abutters, provided robust feedback and were supportive of the plans for the South Water Street Trail, which includes traffic calming measures that will mitigate the issues in this area.
During the planning stages for the South Water Street Trail project, there were several meetings and communications sent with opportunities to provide comment. Unfortunately, some individuals did not participate or engage in that process. However, we’re taking the concerns of these parties and also our business community very seriously.
Our local businesses are very important stakeholders; we want them to continue to succeed and we encourage folks to patronize their businesses. For the last few days, the City’s Department of Planning and Development has been reevaluating aspects of the plans in hopes to accommodate them as much as possible, however, removing the bike plans is non-negotiable as it is supported by hundreds of residents and will provide a safe and enjoyable transportation option for our families, children, and community. Change is not comfortable or easy, but we ultimately look forward to the way this project will reinvigorate the South Water Street corridor.
To review the plans, click here.
by Abigail Appel | Aug 16, 2021 | Council News, Press Release
Today, the flag at City Hall will be lowered to half-staff in honor of the late City Sergeant Dave Tassoni. Sergeant Tassoni was a dedicated city servant, and he will be dearly missed by the City Council, the Mayoral Administration and all of the city staff who had the pleasure of working with him.
Our deepest condolences are extended to the family and loved ones of Sergeant Tassoni. We are profoundly grateful to Sergeant Tassoni for his years of service to the City of Providence, and his memory will remain at city hall for years to come.
by Abigail Appel | Aug 13, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-12
I am deeply saddened and disturbed by the news of the shooting of a 26-year-old man on Smith Hill last night. I am left, like so many other community members, wondering who could be the next victim and how we can restore a sense of safety in our neighborhood. To the victim’s family, I offer my prayers and condolences. To the Smith Hill community, I ask for your support. Be it the police or myself, no one person alone can end this disturbing violence. But together, we can.
The isolation and uncertainty we have all faced in this pandemic has put an incredible strain on the strength of our community, but if we come together once again as a neighborhood, I know that we can begin working towards a safer Smith Hill. I ask that as community members you come out to community events, play in our streets, and watch out for your neighbors because coming together will be our greatest act of strength.
I am working closely with the Council office and the Rogers Recreation Center to ensure our recreation center will be open until 11pm at night. Our youth desperately need positive spaces with adult mentors and programming to keep them off the streets. Without these spaces, youth most at risk of being impacted by violence are left without reasons to live.
by Abigail Appel | Aug 12, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-6
Twelve hours after the Providence City Council met with the Chief of Police regarding crime in the city we found ourselves in the midst of shots fired at a police officer, missing him by inches.
The professionalism exhibited by the Providence Police bringing this case to a peaceful conclusion without injury speaks to the training and leadership, and commitment to the community of the officers on scene. I once again commend Chief Clements, and the command staff in bringing this to a close peacefully. As always, I am grateful and thankful to the men and women of the Providence Police Department and they have my full support.
by Abigail Appel | Aug 10, 2021 | Press Release, Ward-7
Tuesday’s special session of the Providence City Council dedicated to finding solutions to improve public safety.
Providence City Council President John Igliozzi offered the following statement regarding another weekend of violent crime incidents in Providence and the Council’s Tuesday emergency meeting devoted to finding solutions to improve public safety:
“This weekend, our city experienced another unacceptable bout of violent crime with a double murder occurring early Saturday morning and a triple shooting incident occurring early Sunday morning. We must devote every public safety resource at our disposal to end this terrible wave of violent crime, including welcoming a Neighborhood Response Team partnership between the Rhode Island State Police and the Providence Police Department, which Governor McKee has offered on multiple occasions. Too many city residents do not feel safe in their own neighborhoods as this violence continues, and too many visitors are sadly thinking twice about visiting our city’s amazing dining and entertainment establishments.
That is why I have called an emergency meeting of the Providence City Council for Tuesday at 5:45 PM. This emergency meeting is devoted to finding solutions. We are eager to hear from Public Safety Commissioner Steven Paré, Police Chief Hugh Clements, Michael Imondi of the Providence Fraternal Order of Police, and Cedric Huntley of the Nonviolence Institute for their perspectives on what resources they need to stop these violent crimes and restore public safety in every Providence neighborhood.”
