by Billy Kepner | Sep 9, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Last month, Councilman David A. Salvatore posted polls on Facebook and Twitter for constituent feedback regarding a potential Providence “Office of Nightlife and Culture.” Fifty-four percent of Facebook respondents and 63 percent of respondents on Twitter agreed that the city should explore creating a similar best practice.
In recent months there has been an uptick in violence surrounding nightlife in Providence, and Councilman Salvatore has been a strong advocate in addressing these issues. “The Board of Licenses has done a great deal of work on addressing long-standing issues,” stated Councilman David A. Salvatore. “It has become clear to me that our City’s elected leaders need to do more, and we need to look at best practices in other cities.”
Councilman Salvatore shared an article on social media from CityLab.com (https://bit.ly/2lY0rPX) which explained how several major cities are addressing the issues that come from nightlife entertainment. Salvatore said, “There is no reason why Providence should reinvent the wheel time and time again. Considering best practices and what is working in other municipalities can help us create a safe nightlife culture that works for us and already has been tested.”
Cities like New York, Pittsburgh, Orlando and other municipalities around the world have created departments to address nightlife culture. Each city referenced in the CityLab article interacts with its departments differently, but the overarching theme is that these departments are in place to liaise with business owners, city officials, and public safety officials. Salvatore continued, “In Providence, we have responsible business owners who have been successful at mitigating issues, and they do so voluntarily, with little fiscal impact. I think of Anthony Santurri and the late Chris Harris, who embraced the responsibility that comes with owning a nightlife venue. Anthony created a handbook that addresses everything from operations to de-escalating fights, and he ensures that all his employees have it in handed before they begin employment. I believe that’s why he doesn’t encounter issues of violence inside or outside of his venue. I think he has lots to share.”
Councilman Salvatore continued, “I am very happy to see that my colleague Councilwoman Kat Kerwin and community advocate Travis Escobar have taken this situation seriously. I look forward to working with them on this important quality of life issue.”
Councilman Salvatore is calling on his colleagues on the City Council to look further than spending tax-payer dollars on unnecessary consultants and attorneys and is encouraging the Elorza Administration to explore best practices that are working in cities around the world.
by Billy Kepner | Aug 31, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Once again our City is waking up to the reports of several acts of violence that broke out across Providence in the early morning hours. As elected officials we have a sworn duty to speak up and provide a voice to those that elected us. We must do something to address these issues immediately.
I want the residents of Ward 14 to know that I have been in touch with the Commander of Providence Police, and have been briefed on the situation. I will continue to be in contact with our public safety officials and will update you when I can.
There have been too many acts of violence over the last several weeks, and besides creating serious quality of life issues for our residents – this is also harming our image as a City that is welcoming and a great place to live and visit.
We need to do more, and I’m calling on my colleagues to join me in taking action to protect residents, businesses, and patrons a like.
by Billy Kepner | Aug 26, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
We are at an inflection point in Providence, as we grow as a City. We are facing crisis’ on multiple fronts; our schools, affordable housing, and the seeming uptick in violence centered around our nightclub culture.
As we grow as a City, it’s time for us to revisit our culture around nightlife and public safety. Every time an act of violence occurs inside or outside of a nightclub, public safety resources are diverted from every neighborhood in Providence leaving communities susceptible to other acts of crime.
I’m calling on my colleagues to revisit the City Council’s 2012 strategy and the Pine Report to ensure that we are working in the best interest of our constituents when it comes to their safety. I am also calling on the Board of Licenses to work with club owners across Providence and the City Council to employ strategies that proactively prevent these seemingly frequent incidents.
Violence is never the answer, and I’m deeply concerned that so many of our young people are resorting to these strategies to deal with their differences.
These acts of violence are systemic, and we as elected leaders need to address the underlying issues that plague our community. I am committed to working with my colleagues at both the state and local level to help address these serious quality of life issues.
David A. Salvatore, Providence City Council, Councilman – Ward 14
by Billy Kepner | Aug 20, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Councilman David A. Salvatore (Ward 14) hosted a “Day of Service” at Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School today with 150 students from Providence College. These students worked alongside teachers to help prepare their classroom for the upcoming school year. This event is part of the College’s Urban Action Summer Program from incoming first-year students.
“I am very grateful for Providence College and their student’s commitment to helping improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods,” stated Councilman David A. Salvatore. “This annual event has become an integral part in readying Kennedy Elementary for the new school year. It helps ensure that the students at Kennedy have a clean school and that it is ready for them and their teachers on day one. It is also a great way for students, especially aspiring teachers, to work alongside some of our best educators. PC’s Urban Action is a great program, and one that I am happy to support.”
Urban Action is a five-day program for incoming first-year students at Providence College. It is designed to increase students’ understanding of urban issues while also introducing them to the Providence community. Students spend three days volunteering at local sites in the city of Providence, and one day volunteering on campus helping fellow classmates move in.
Providence College’s Campus Minister, Pamela Tremblay stated, “Before syllabi are given out, books are purchased, and even before the majority of students descend upon campus, Providence College welcomes 250 students early as a way to connect them with the college’s mission to promote ‘the common good, the human flourishing of each member of the campus community, and service of neighbors near and far.’ Participating in park clean-ups, spending time with the elderly, preparing food at soup kitchens or assisting local schools in preparing for the year, these students join the Friar Family and the larger Providence community by beginning their year in service to others. We are grateful for our community partners and city leaders, whose willingness to host students and share their commitment to the city make this pre-orientation service so successful.”
Principal Amy Burns of Robert F. Kennedy Elementary stated, “Every year, teachers at Robert F. Kennedy Elementary look forward to the influx of Providence College students, who have truly adopted our school for their day of service. From painting walls to working with teachers to set up their classrooms, our Providence College ‘helpers’ provide invaluable assistance in getting the school ready for our kids.”
For more information about Providence College Urban Action, or Providence College visit www.providence.edu.
by Billy Kepner | Aug 9, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
On behalf of myself and the residents of Ward 14, I want to thank the Providence Police Department for their quick work in minimizing the situation on Douglas Avenue earlier today. The safety of our City’s residents is paramount, and we are thankful that this situation was able to be resolved quickly.
Although there were shots fired, the suspect has been apprehended along with his weapon. The suspect was known to police and is now off our streets. An officer was shot, but thankfully his protective gear kept him out of harm’s way.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the injured officer, and thank all the first responders involved.
As we learn more information, we will share it with the community as quickly as possible.
by Billy Kepner | Jun 7, 2019 | Council News, Ward-1, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-2, Ward-3
City Council members passed three resolutions at tonight’s council meeting urging the General Assembly to pass legislation banning assault weapons, banning high capacity magazines, and prohibiting concealed-carry weapons on school grounds. These resolutions were introduced by Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3), Councilman David A. Salvatore (Ward 14), Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Councilwoman Rachel Miller (Ward 13), and Councilman Seth Yurdin (Ward 1). “We are not going to wait until the next tragedy for changes that we need to see enacted now,” stated Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune. “It is time to take a stand against gun violence and the City Council supports the Senators and Representatives that have put forth this much-needed legislation. We need to keep assault weapons off the street and away from criminals in order to ensure the safety of families, students, and law enforcement officers.” The Providence City Council respectfully requests the Rhode Island General Assembly to pass House Bills H-5741, H-5762, H-5739; and Senate Bills S-635, S-636, S-637. These legislative bills include the Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban Act, the Large Capacity Feeding Device Ban Act and an amendment to the RI General Law chapter 11-47 entitled “weapons.” Seven States and the District of Columbia have enacted laws banning Assault weapons including: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. Councilman David A. Salvatore stated, “The debate is over; there is no justification for military-style assault weapons with large-capacity magazines to be in the hands of civilians. Firearms should be nowhere near our school grounds or public spaces and it is our moral obligation as public servants to protect the people through common sense gun legislation. Rhode Islanders will not let the proliferation of assault weapons go unchecked.” “This is a clear message from Providence residents to our state leaders that it is time to put an end to mass shootings by banning assault weapons once and for all,” stated Councilwoman Helen Anthony. “Our children deserve a safer world and not one where anybody can easily acquire a weapon that shoots up to 100 rounds a minute.” Click here to view a digital version of the resolutions.
