Rhode Island
GoLocalProv | News | Providence Hammered by Violent Crime Over the Weekend
Monday, June 12, 2023
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley during the campaign promised a safer city at a press event in 2020. PHOTO: GoLocal
It was a beautiful spring weekend that featured community events like Porchfest, the “Flea,” a concert at Providence Performing Arts Center, and an art exhibit at the Steel Yard.
But competing with the community events were violent crimes that swept across the city from Olneyville to the East Side to Federal Hill and hit nearly every neighborhood in Providence.
Through just Sunday morning, Providence suffered more than a half dozen violent episodes, including a murder, multiple knife incidents, the deployment of the Providence Police rifle team in search of a shooter, and more.
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Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said in an email to GoLocal on Sunday, “I’m thankful for the Providence Police officers who responded quickly and efficiently to the incidents this weekend.”
“I’m working closely with the City Council to increase public safety funding so our police department has the officers and resources they need to elevate public safety and keep our neighborhoods safe,” he added.
The weekend of crime is at a time when the Providence Police Department staffing is at a near-record low — just 419.
Full staffing is considered 505 for the department.
Olneyville: 19-Year-Old Murdered
A man was shot and killed in Providence overnight.
Police responded to Donigan Park on Valley Street in Olneyville for a report of a shooting shortly before 9 PM Saturday night.
The victim — a 19-year-old male — was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
It is the city’s 6th homicide of the year.
Saturday’s murder of a 19-year-old was the city’s 6th homicide of the year. PHOTO: File image.
East Side: Fake Injury Coaxes Victim — a Brown University Professor — to Get Out of Car to Give Aid
A man was reportedly robbed — at knifepoint — by a group of individuals on the East Side early Sunday morning.
Police said they responded to the 200 block of Thayer Street shortly after 1 AM for a report of a robbery.
According to police, they met with the victim, a male in his early 50s, who said he had been driving down Fones Alley when he saw a group of individuals walk in front of his vehicle.
The victim told police he observed a man in a hoodie fall to the ground, at which time the victim got out of his car to see if he was hurt.
According to the victim, the man then jumped up and walked toward him, brandishing a knife.
The victim said a second male suspect then approached him, jumped on his back, and began punching him, before the assailants fled with his cell phone and credit cards.
Providence Police Detectives Major David Lapatin confirmed with GoLocal that the victim is a professor at Brown University.
Mount Pleasant: Robbery by Knifepoint at Pharmacy
Providence police are investigating a robbery — at knifepoint — in the city.
Shortly before 10 PM on Friday night, police were called to the Walgreens at 295 Academy Avenue for a report of a robbery.
According to police, roughly one hundred dollars was taken from the store.
A large knife was reportedly displayed at the time of the robbery; the suspect is still at large.
Federal Hill: Shooting, Rifle Team Deployed
A shooting occurred on America Street just off of Atwellls Avenue on Federal Hill shortly after midnight Sunday morning.
Police say bullet holes were found in multiple vehicles, and numerous shell casings were found.
The Providence Police rifle team was deployed to set a perimeter to try and capture the shooter; no suspect was found or apprehended at the time.
West End: Two stabbed
Two men were transported to Rhode Island Hospital after a brawl with two other men.
Bottles were thrown, and at least one baseball bat as used in the fight.
The incident took place on Saturday outside Fabian Liquors on Cranston Street.
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