I would like to commend Mayor Jorge Elorza for his call for the resignation of Juan Pichardo as Chair of the Providence Board of Licensing. I too believe it’s time for a change in leadership there, and have been vocal about that in my role as City Councilor. I wish Mr. Pichardo luck in any new endeavors and am hopeful for a smooth transition at the Board of Licensing.
–Providence City Councilman Michael Correia, Ward 6
Councilman Michael Correia (Ward 6) has formally requested increased enforcement of fireworks used in Providence neighborhoods, especially those that disturb residents late at night. In a letter sent to Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh Clements, Correia stated, “As we approach the Fourth of July, constituents have noticed an increase in fireworks being used late into the evening. I respectfully request that the Providence Police Department steps up enforcement in our neighborhoods around this time.”
“I take the safety and well-being of our constituents very seriously,” Correia added. He has requested the department looks into the matter as soon as possible.
The Providence City Council tonight approved an ordinance that allows the Providence Police Department to confiscate and destroy recreational vehicles that are driven in the city illegally. In recent months, the city has faced an alarming uptick of unauthorized recreational vehicles being used on city roads and in public parks, sometimes swarming in large numbers to intimidate the public. On Easter weekend, dozens of people riding dirt bikes and ATVs swarmed a playground on Aleppo Street, endangering the twenty parkgoers who fled the area when the pack arrived. One motorist was killed while operating an ATV on a city street in the Manton neighborhood earlier this year.
“We have been hearing from many residents and community organizations about dangerous incidents across the city involving ATVS and dirt bikes,” said Council President Luis Aponte (Ward 10). “These incidents threaten everyone’s safety, and the ordinance we passed tonight gives our police department greater latitude in addressing the problem.”
Rhode Island Foundation President Neil Steinberg recently stated in a letter to the Council that ATV and off-road motor vehicles “are causing significant damage” to Roger Williams Park, and that “large groups of riders frequently meet in the Park to ride off-road on trails and fields.” He noted that the vehicles’ damage to Roger Williams Park has cost the Providence Parks Department nearly $20,000 in repairs.
The ordinance, adapted from a similar law in New York City, has already earned support from the Providence Police Department. “The City of Providence has experienced lawlessness in the illegal use of all-terrain vehicles and off road motorbikes on our City Streets,” said Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare. “This has created a danger to our community and to our police officers who try to intercept these vehicles driving at high rates of speed on our streets, in our parks and on the bike path. The ordinance will allow the Providence Police to stop, seize and potentially forfeit these vehicles so they are forever removed from the public spaces that they operate illegally. We thank the Council for their support in this ordinance and we look forward to removing this menace from our community once and for all.”
“This is a city-wide issue that has great implications for the quality of life in all of our neighborhoods,” said Councilwoman Ryan (Ward 5), who sponsored the ordinance. “This ordinance gives our Police officers the tools they need to deal with the growing epidemic of illegal vehicles abusing our traffic laws and endangering the public.”
“We are doing everything we possibly can to rid the city of the ATVs and dirt bikes terrorizing our parks and neighborhoods,” said Councilman Michael Correia (Ward 6), who recently called upon the police department for increased enforcement.
The Providence City Council Committee on Ordinances tonight approved a measure that aims to give police officers greater latitude in addressing the city’s growing challenges with illegal use of dirt bikes and ATVs. In recent months, the city has seen an alarming uptick of these vehicles being used on city roads and in public parks, sometimes swarming in large numbers to intimidate onlookers. This winter, one motorist was killed while operating an ATV on a city street in the Manton neighborhood.
If approved by the full City Council, the ordinance will allow the Providence Police Department to confiscate and destroy recreational vehicles that are used illegally. The ordinance, adapted from a similar law in New York City, has already earned support from the Providence Police Department. “Over the past several years, Providence has experienced a growing number of recreational vehicles being driven on public streets and in public parks,” said Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steve Pare. “These vehicles are driven recklessly, driven at high speeds and with no regard for the safety of others. This ordinance will allow the Providence Police Department to combat this problem in a way that will reduce and eventually eliminate the public safety threat that exists today.”
The ordinance is sponsored by Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5). “This is a city-wide issue that has great implications for the quality of life in all of our neighborhoods,” said Councilwoman Ryan. “I want to thank Captain Dean Isabella for his valuable insight. This ordinance gives our police officers the tools they need to deal with the growing epidemic of illegal vehicles abusing our traffic laws and endangering the public.”
“We are doing everything we possibly can to rid the city of the ATVs and dirt bikes terrorizing our parks and neighborhoods,” said Councilman Michael Correia (Ward 6), who recently called upon the police department for increased enforcement.
Prior to becoming law, the ordinance requires two passages from the full City Council. The next City Council meeting will be held on Thursday, May 4th at 7:00 pm.
In response to an incident involving 50 ATVs that swarmed a public park over the holiday weekend, Councilman Michael Correia (Ward Six) is calling on the Providence Police Department to increase its presence in the Manton area and enforce laws that prohibit the operation of recreational vehicles in public spaces (Ordinance No. 2015-5, § 1, 4-13-15, “Article VII – Snowmobiles and Recreational Vehicles”).
In a letter addressed to Commissioner Steven Pare and Colonel Hugh Clements, Correia writes, “Our public spaces need to be monitored more closely. The owners of such vehicles must be properly held accountable for disturbing our neighborhoods risking the safety of constituents.”
“I was disheartened to hear that nearly 50 ATV vehicles stormed across an occupied park near Aleppo Street over the holiday weekend,” Correia continued. “Only one person was arrested after police officers followed drivers speeding down Manton Avenue. I take the safety and well-being of our constituents very seriously, as should our police force. They must send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated in our community.”
