Taveras Admin’s Decision to Close Pool Called Political and Racist

Tuesday, July 02, 2013

Kate Nagle, GoLocal Contributor

A leading civil rights leader says the motivation is racist, two Providence City Council members say the decision is political and national studies show the issue is a critical one of public safety.

A GoLocalProv Investigation found that the recent decision by Mayor Angel Taveras to close the Davey Lopes Recreation Center’s pool is being seen by some as a step in limiting opportunities for Providence’s children to have access to public pools -- and the chance to learn how to swim.

According to a study issued by USA Swimming Foundation, African American children, depending on their age, are two- to-three times more likely to drown than white children of the same age.

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Rickman: This is a Class Issue

“This is a class issue and a race issue. I'm angry and I've been this way for years. This administration (Taveras) is making it worse. We have them turning all the pools into what they're calling "safe pools," three and four feet deep--a swimmer can no longer use them,” said former State Representative Ray Rickman.

To see photos of Davey Lopes as well as other pools and rec centers in Providence, with comments from directors and staff, go here.

In a separate study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, African-American children between the ages of 5 and 14 were found to be almost three times more likely to drown than white children.

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“The mayor (Taveras) is destroying public property. The city is cementing these pools, making them unusable. This mayor doesn't own them [the pools]. I've been friends with Taveras for 22 years. This is not anti-him. I think he has bad advisors,” said Rickman.

Meanwhile, concerns about violence -- and the safety of children in Providence -- continue to grow. Last month, a 12 year old girl was shot and killed in a case that has yet to be solved. Historically, recreation areas and swimming pools have been a seen as a safe haven and a place for kids to go, but the city's decision to close the pool has further limited the number of options for Providence children, which has drawn sharp criticism from a number of elected officials.

“The violence will continue to grow...built on frustration. The kids think, "I can't see myself being treated like other kids in the state. I'm looked upon as a second class citizen," said Providence Councilman Kevin Jackson, a long-time advocate for children in Providence.

“Joslin pool last year closed...they're looking at Davey Lopes this year...will it be another one, then another one?” asked Jackson.

The CDC report showed that factors such as access to swimming pools, the desire or lack of desire to learn how to swim, and choosing water-related recreational activities may contribute to the racial differences in drowning rates. Available rates are based on population, not on participation. If rates could be determined by actual participation in water-related activities, the disparity in minorities’ drowning rates compared to whites would be much greater.

Jackson attests the issue isn't money, either. "The Administration is saying the repairs would be roughly $45,000. I've asked other Council members if they could possibly allocate some of the CDBG funds (Community Development Block Grant). We're currently up to $72,000."

The bigger question is why are we tackling this now, and not in January? This could have been addressed -- and solved," said Jackson. "And who asked the community what they wanted? No one."

Political Motivation?

The decision to close Davey Lopes may not have been financial as Jackson pointed out. At least two City Councilman charge that the Taveras Administration is playing politics with pools and summer jobs, saying specifically that voting against Taveras’s controversial tax hikes resulted in ramifications for their constituents.

“There's been a lot of talk that Davey Lopes was closed because [Councilman] Sanchez didn't vote for the budget," said Councilman Luis Aponte.

Councilman Jackson added.“I'll tell you what I know. Our rec (recreation center) directors who run summer camps usually put together list of teens to work at these camps, to work at water parks. They were told that kids who put down they were in the district of any one of the council members who voted against the budget would not be hired,” said Councilman Jackson.

"I know that [the City] will say they got more applications than positions available -- but this isn't a lottery process, they pick the kids," said Jackson. "We shouldn't be playing politics with our kids, especially the kids for whom a paycheck would mean everything. These kids aren't going on fancy summer trips like other kids in the state. They're just looking for a job, money to buy sneakers."

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Effort to Reverse the Policies

With crime an issue, summer jobs limited and few public recreation facilities available, the move by the Taveras’ Administration to further cut access to the pools has sparked an organized effort to raise awareness

The Rhode Island based community organization Swim Empowerment is leading the movement to stop the decline in public access and expand opportunities. “Our mission is to create a new generation of swimmers in the African American Rhode Island community and to provide all Rhode Island children with the opportunity to learn how to swim," is the goal of the group, according to the website.

“We live in a society where the upper classes take their children to swim lessons at age 3, the middle classes at ages 7-10, and folks in the lower classes quite often at a later age or never. It used to be that a kid learned to swim in 11th grade to graduate from high school because there were swim requirements. Now, we have fewer opportunities for certain people to learn to swim," it continues.

Rickman was sharp in his criticism of the City's claims that attendance at the pools had been down, prompting the closing. "When you [the city] spend two years discouraging people to use the pools, making it difficult to get in, fewer hours… and now they're blaming people for not coming? They're blaming the victim, saying we're not using the facilities. Where are the outreach programs?" asked Rickman.

Repeated efforts for comment from the Taveras Administration went unanswered.

Taveras Admin’s Decision to Close Pool Called Political and Racist

To see photos of Davey Lopes as well as other pools and rec centers in Providence, with comments from directors and staff, go here.

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Taveras Admin’s Decision to Close Pool Called Political and Racist

To see photos of Davey Lopes as well as other pools and rec centers in Providence, with comments from directors and staff, go here.

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