by Abigail Appel | Jul 19, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-7
This weekend my family and I were the targets of acts of intimidation and violence demanding that I defund and abolish the Providence Police Department.
This individual(s) graffitied my property and also spiked the tires of both my son’s and my car. While the graffiti can be washed away, the spikes embedded in our tires could’ve caused serious bodily harm, or even worse.
This was not a political statement adherent to the spirit of our first amendment. This was an act of intimidation and censure by threat.
As an elected official who has served this city for many years, ideological differences and spirited debates regarding our future are not new.
Yet, engaging in this type of behavior that is meant to cause fear of bodily injury or of life is not something that I will ever condone.
Instead, I will continue to work with the community and my colleagues to find solutions to the problems and concerns that have been expressed through testimony and discussion at the Committee on Finance meetings.
Over the past few weeks, I have called on the members of the General Assembly to repeal the Law Enforcement Officer’s Bill of Rights (which would give more power to our Chief of Police to fire officers who would use their position to do harm instead of good). I have been working with my colleagues to create a social service crisis intervention unit within our City. This type of program would create a network of social service responders where individuals in crisis can get the help that they need without the use of an armed police response. This measure would also keep our police force in the neighborhoods so that they can do the job they were tasked to do – protect us. I have had national leaders in community policing attend our Committee on Finance meetings to share best practices. We have heard from CAHOOTS based in Eugene, Oregon, along with representatives from the STAR program based in Denver, Colorado. The Committee will continue to investigate these best practices so that we can launch a similar program here in Providence that meets the unique needs of our City.
I know the vandals that committed these acts are not representative of the community who has come before the City Council and asked for reform from the police department. I will continue to listen and learn from these and other members of our community, and work to help initiate positive reforms that will continue to make the Providence Police Department the best department in the nation.
John J. Igliozzi, Esq., Majority Whip
Chairman of the Committee on Finance
Damage to Councilman Igliozzi’s tires
Spikes used to cause damage to Councilman Igliozzi’s family property
Graffiti, spray painted on Councilman Igliozzi’s driveway and in front of his home
by Abigail Appel | Jul 9, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
On Saturday, July 4, 2020, a two family home located at 108 Langdon Street caught on fire and was damaged beyond repair. Although the fire is still under investigation there is strong evidence to believe that an illegal firework may have landed on the house causing it to burn.
The two families have been placed in temporary housing and luckily no one was hurt. I want to personally thank the Providence Fire Department for their quick action, and ensuring the safety of the neighboring houses, and residents. Their actions speak volumes to the professionalism of our amazing men and women of the Providence Fire Department.
Thank you to all involved. It’s devastating when anyone loses a home, even more so when it may have been done so because of illegal behavior. If the Fire Marshal does declare that it was an illegal firework I will work with the Police Department and area neighbors to see if they have any video footage from their security cameras from that night.
Nicholas J. Narducci Jr., Senior Deputy Majority Leader
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 4
by Abigail Appel | Jul 6, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
Conley Stadium is returning to its glory days thanks to Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) who secured precious CDBG and CIP Dollars for this project.
“Conley Stadium is a gem in the Mount Pleasant Neighborhood,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “We worked very hard to ensure that we could create a premier athletics facility in our City. I am thrilled that this project is almost complete and will be online in the very near future.”
The stadium will once again become an iconic state-wide multi-use athletic location. Because of the number of state-of-the-art fields, Conley Stadium will be able to hold several events happening simultaneously. It is unprecedented in the City of Providence, and the new score board will only enhance the experience for athletes and spectators alike.
They will now be able to host invitational track and field contests, and the facility is second to none. The stadium is right in line with other major athletic centers around the country. They will have the best throwing stadium, a state-of-the-art javelin throw, and with the fields being close yet spread out will make it easier for athletes that compete in multiple events.
Further planned facilities enhancements include a soccer field and tennis courts which will complement the already completed regulation baseball field, walking path and improvements to Mt Pleasant Park.
The Athletics Department is working with the historical society to create a museum underneath the stadium. Highlighting its historical significance and where we can celebrate the Providence Steam Rollers who won the NFL Championship in 1928. The franchise originally started at the Cycledome Stadium, where they played from 1925-1931. They moved to Conley Stadium in 1962 and plaid there until 1964 as part of the Atlantic Coast Football League.
In 1964 Jackie Robinson brought the franchise and renamed themselves the Rhode Island Indians where they played at Conley Stadium for one year until the team was disbanded.
by Abigail Appel | Jul 3, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
At tonight’s City Council Meeting, Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) proposed a resolution urging the Rhode Island General Assembly to expand the types of degrees eligible for education reimbursement to law enforcement officers.
In recent weeks the City Council and the Finance Committee have heard resounding calls for police reform with many residents calling on the Finance Committee to provide more social services for residents in crisis.
In an effort to expand social service education and improve educational outcomes for Rhode Island law enforcement, the Council is urging the Rhode Island General Assembly to revisit Rhode Island General Law 42-28.1 et. seq., which establishes an incentive pay program by which municipalities can reimburse officers for obtaining educational credits.
Currently, this program allows for officers to be reimbursed for behavioral science courses only if they are simultaneously enrolled in a program to obtain a degree in law, law enforcement or criminal justice.
“What the Council has heard for our community members is that our public safety institutions need to be educated on comprehensive social and behavioral services. Offering public safety officials a robust range of educational opportunities from social work to psychology or public health will allow law enforcement officers to gain new perspectives on how to respond to crisis situations and engage with their communities,” stated Council President Sabina Matos.
This resolution requests that the Rhode Island General Assembly consider expanding education reimbursement to police officers for courses and degrees in social work, psychology, public health and other social service fields.
“It is clear that our current systems are not working to the best of their ability. Moving forward, the Council will work to support education, reform and equity in law enforcement while keeping community input as a top priority,” added Council President Matos.
Upon passage, this resolution will be sent to the Providence Delegation as well as the Speaker of the House and the Senate President.
by Abigail Appel | Jul 3, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
City Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) tonight introduced a resolution requesting continuing education requirements for Providence police officers.
“After a nine-hour public hearing where the Committee on Finance heard from nearly 250 individuals expressing their concerns around police training, tactics, and funding, I felt that one of the actionable items we can implement immediately is continuing education programs for our police officers,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “Countless professional fields require annual continuing education, and I don’t think a police department should be any different. Currently, there are no continuing education mandates in the City of Providence for our police officers. Training around cultural competency, mental health, and other technical skill programs would help to keep our officers abreast of the latest industry developments and to higher professional standards.”
Evaluating how our police department can best serve our community is not only being reviewed at the city level, but also at the state level. The Rhode Island General Assembly has tasked Senator Harold Metts of Providence with leading the review of a wide array of policing issues including: relations with racial and ethnic minority communities; police management, discipline procedures; enhanced police training around cultural competency, and diversity of personnel across all law enforcement agencies state-wide. The task force will author a report that can help guide the General Assembly’s policy making in these and other areas.
Majority Leader Ryan continued, “I know Providence has an excellent police department, but our officers’ training shouldn’t end with the Academy graduation. It is important as city leaders that we provide our employees with the tools they need to succeed. Creating continuing education guidelines, programs and standards will help our police officers be better prepared for many of the challenges that they face while at work.”
“I look forward to working with the Committee on Finance to find the resources in our FY ’21 Budget to implement education and training programs so we can better provide our public servants with the skills necessary to be their best.” stated Majority Leader Ryan.
Upon passage of the resolution, it will be sent to Mayor Elorza, Commissioner of Public Safety Paré, and asks them to work with the Fraternal Order of Police to implement an annual continuing education and training certification requirement for all members of the Providence Police Department.
