Costantino Wants More Police on Neighborhood Streets
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Many police substations lay empty and dark in Providence—something that Democrat Steven Costantino said he wants to change if elected mayor.
“We spend the money on community policing stations, but if they sit empty, we have lost a major opportunity to show presence in the neighborhoods while also developing our future force,” Costantino said. “Our community policing stations must be utilized and, as mayor, I will make sure we take full advantage of their existence.”
As part of his plan for neighborhood safety, Costantino said he would increase patrols of neighborhood officers on quiet side streets. He said he would also move higher-ranking officers out of headquarters and into city neighborhoods, ensuring that there was a major on every shift, including weekends.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTHe said the presence of law enforcement officials in neighborhoods could be further increased by staffing the substations with crime watch or neighborhood volunteer groups. “These open substations will provide neighbors with a friendly face and assure them of a police presence in their neighborhood, without a cost to taxpayers,” Costantino said.
Besides safety concerns, Costantino said a stronger, neighborhood police presence was important for Providence’s economy.
“It is difficult to watch your business projections plummet due to break-ins or violence on your street. Our police officers must be partners with business owners,” Costantino said. “Under my plan, we will give Providence residents a strong sense that our public safety officials are available to them. By doing so, we will increase our residents’ confidence, promote their participation in their community and importantly, encourage them to shop in their neighborhood stores.”
