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 Michael Giles | Aug 11, 2021 | Council News, Ward-5
Early this morning, my neighbors and I were alerted to a shelter-in-place order due to a domestic abuse situation that led to the assailant firing gunshots at a police officer, and then barricading himself inside a house.
I would like to express my gratitude to the Providence Police Department, who worked diligently to keep residents in my neighborhood safe, and apprehended this armed and dangerous individual without any injuries or loss of life. Officers demonstrated their professionalism and training, and effectively protected the public’s safety. They secured the scene, kept residents safe in their homes, and arrested the suspect without firing a single shot. I commend their great work. I also want to thank our partners in state law enforcement who provided the additional equipment necessary to bring the standoff to a safe resolution.
This was a terrifying situation for my neighbors, as well as for everyone involved in the incident, and it highlights the urgency of our city’s current crime crisis. I am beyond grateful that nobody was injured, including the officer who was shot at while in the line of duty. I will continue collaborating with the Providence Police to put a stop to the current crime wave and to provide them with the resources necessary to protect the public.
by Abigail Appel | Aug 5, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
I am appalled by the overwhelming surge of violence that has taken over our city. It has gotten to the point where everyday citizens do not feel safe walking on the street or even driving in their cars.
For years, I have been calling on the Mayoral administration and my council colleagues to support our police force. We must give the police the tools they need to keep our city safe, and we must fund another police academy as soon as possible.
Without a robust and well-prepared police force, who will residents call when they are they victims of or witnesses to the violent crimes constantly occurring in our city?
The City Council has instituted ordinances that are meant to keep ATVs off of our streets. The City must enforce these laws to finally remove these dangerous and illegal vehicles from the streets. The safety of drivers, pedestrians and innocent bystanders are seriously at risk. The City has the legal groundwork to put a stop to this, yet the problem persists because the laws are not enforced.
Providence residents should not be forced to live in constant fear of violence, crime and reckless behavior. I am calling on the City and my Council colleagues to join me in supporting the expansion of law enforcement by increasing our police force and more strictly enforcing City laws intended to keep residents safe.
How many more injuries, how many more violent crimes, how many more lives have to be lost, before change is made? We must act now.
