Providence FOP: Hockey Melee Result of PC’s “Poor Planning”
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Providence's Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #3 issued a statement Tuesday about the events that transpired on Saturday, April 11 near the campus of Providence College, which they describe as a “melee."
“The incident and melee which occurred on April 11, 2015 on Pembroke Avenue in the City of Providence after the Providence College Hockey Team won the NCAA National Hockey Championship was truly unacceptable, and the FOP would like to point out the dangers posed not only to the general public and citizens but also to the Police officers and firefighters who had to respond to the disturbance.
Police were summoned to the area of Pembroke Ave for a large gathering which began immediately as the hockey game was completed and which quickly turned into a large dangerous disturbance that stretched for several blocks. Fire personnel had to stage for hours due to the inaccessibility of the fires which were set by individuals within the crowds, who blocked their access to the fires. Additional police officers on duty in other areas of the city and police detectives were summoned to the area to quell the disturbance, and Rhode Island State Police also responded.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThis type of dangerous incident, which was clearly foreseeable, was downplayed by the Providence College Administration and its representatives and was partly the result of poor planning by Providence College and the Providence Police Administration…that is, ONLY 4 police officers had initially been assigned to this area at the time the disturbance began, with several others assigned at 11pm.
One of our police officers was seriously injured and brought to the hospital; and the incident was eventually brought under control after more than 60 police officers and detectives became involved. All of the officers on scene displayed remarkable restraint and professionalism in the face of such tumultuous behavior - with people not only throwing objects at them but also directing slurs at them. The city, for approximately 3 hours during the disturbance, went with limited services and police coverage in other areas. The citizens of Providence and visitors to the city who rely on the city’s police services were clearly put at risk.
The city was ill-equipped to handle this type of celebration with the resources available on a normal shift. Extra accommodations were needed to be in place regardless of the cost to the city and to Providence College. However, they chose to limit costs in lieu of securing safety. The City of Providence has several colleges and universities within its limits. The potential for an incident of this nature to take pace again is high. Better planning in advance with the proper resources in place prior to any type of celebration or large gathering of individuals is a strong future concern to our FOP members.”
The letter is signed "Providence FOP Executive Board."
Related Slideshow: Providence Events that Owe Providence Police Detail Pay
The following data was obtained from a summary aging report from the City of Providence for the police detail fund, as of July 14, 2014.
City ordinance says that organizations with outstanding balances past due 60 days may not be able to recieve an event license while delinquent, and the Providence Public Event Application says no event permit shall be granted to organizations with 60+ days overdue balance from the Detail office.
Organizations have the opportunity to pay off all debts in full to become eligible for a new event permit.
Related Articles
- Providence Police – A Department in Chaos
- PC Hockey Takes on Miami in NCAA Tourney, Will Play in Providence
- Gillies Shuts Out Bobcats As PC Hockey Advances to the Elite 8
- PC Hockey Holds On for 7-5 Win Over Miami (Ohio)
- PC Hockey Faces Omaha in NCAA Frozen Four Tonight in Boston
- PC Hockey Advances to National Title Game!
- PC Hockey to Hold Championship Celebration on Tuesday
- Meningitis Case Confirmed at Providence College
- Providence Police Union Slams Taveras on Unpaid Festival Police Details
- NEW: Providence Police Officers Disciplined in John Prince Case
- Providence College to Host 11th Relay For Life Event
- Providence Police Union—Hispanic Festivals Leading to ‘Anarchy’ on City Streets
- Providence College Ranked RI’s Biggest Party School
- Providence College: Former Friar Brandon Austin in Trouble Again
- EXCLUSIVE: New Providence Police Officer Named as Suspect in Larceny
- EXCLUSIVE: Number of Providence Police at Record Low
- Providence Police Union Slams City Over New Festival Permits
- NEW: Hernandez Involved In Run-Ins With Providence Police
- LISTEN: Unpaid Providence Police Detail Up 50% to Nearly $2 Million
- Unpaid Providence Police Detail Up 50% to Nearly $2 Million
- NEW: Providence Police Layoffs Start
- Russell Moore: Don’t Burn Books, Providence College
- NEW: Smiley Calls for All Providence Police to Carry Naloxone
- Providence College To Host First Alzheimer’s Walk
- Controversy Surrounds Dr. Cretella Lecture at Providence College
- Providence Police Chief Hugh Clements: 13 To Watch in RI in 2013
- NEW: Cretella Lecture at Providence College Postponed
- NEW: Providence College Basketball Valued at $42 Million
- The Truth at Providence College
- NEW: Providence College Named “Best Buy” by Fiske Guide to Colleges
- Providence College President’s Statement on Gavitt’s Death
- SPORT:ART to Celebrate Black History + Women’s Athletics at Providence College
- NEW: Providence College Cancels Lecture on Same-Sex Marriage
- NEW: Providence College Reported Incorrect SAT Data to U.S. News
- Providence College Friars Releases Big East Schedule
- Alex Owens Recruited by Providence College’s Friars
- Providence College Basketball Season Preview
- NEW: Star Hockey Recruit to Enroll at Providence College
- NEW: Providence College Breaks Ground on $20 Million Project
- A Conversation with Providence College Men’s Basketball Head Coach Ed Cooley
- BREAKING: City Reaches Deal with Providence College
- NEW: Pulitzer-Prize Winner David McCullough To Speak at Providence College
- NEW: Providence College Names New Dean of Business School
- NEW: Viola Davis To Give Providence College Commencement Address