Another Violent Weekend in Providence - Council Members Voice Outrage, But No Solutions
Sunday, September 01, 2019
The tweets of violence have been flying out of the Providence Police Department this weekend— two shot in Providence, a stabbing at a hookah lounge, and another stabbing in the city — and the weekend is still not over.
The Providence Board of Licenses held an emergency hearing and ordered the Jamra Hookah Lounge (680 Admiral St) closed pending a show cause hearing Wednesday. The emergency closure stems from the stabbing of a 19-yr-old outside the establishment. Continue to follow us.
The 19-yr-old man who was stabbed shortly after midnight outside of 680 Admiral St (Jamra Hookah Lounge) is listed in stable condition at RIH. Police are investigating.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe 21-yr-old man stabbed while walking in the vicinity of Academy and Atwells Ave at 1:45 am this morning, and treated at RIH, has been released. Police are investigating. No one has been apprehended.
Two males were shot (ages 17, 22) while standing on the porch at 62 Ontario St at 9:45pm by an unidentified gunman on foot. Both were taken to area hospitals for treatment. No one has been apprehended, police are investigating.
Council President Sabina Matos sent out the first press release, “Waking up to news of more violence in our City is disheartening. As the Council President I am committed to working with my colleagues on the Council, the Board of Licenses, public safety officials, and the Administration to work collaboratively to find ways to mitigate these acts of violence.”
The press release continued, “One of the greatest things about Providence is our amazing restaurants and vibrant nightlife. Violent incidents like the ones that have been occurring over the past several weeks not only affect the quality of life for our residents, but also is harmful to our business community and their patrons."
But Matos offered no specifics as to address the ongoing crime issues.
Councilman David Salvatore also sent out a press release. He, too, was short on specifics:
“Once again our City is waking up to the reports of several acts of violence that broke out across Providence in the early morning hours. As elected officials, we have a sworn duty to speak up and provide a voice to those that elected us. We must do something to address these issues immediately.
I want the residents of Ward 14 to know that I have been in touch with the Commander of Providence Police, and have been briefed on the situation. I will continue to be in contact with our public safety officials and will update you when I can.
There have been too many acts of violence over the last several weeks, and besides creating serious quality of life issues for our residents - this is also harming our image as a City that is welcoming and a great place to live and visit.
We need to do more, and I’m calling on my colleagues to join me in taking action to protect residents, businesses, and patrons alike.”
There were no public comments by Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza.
Last Weekend's Violence
As GoLocal reported last weekend:
Nearly every area of the city of Providence was hit with vicious violence this weekend.
Providence Police tell GoLocal that their investigators have been working all weekend responding to a blistering number of violent incidents.
- Three men were stabbed outside a club on Broad Street Saturday morning. All three men were taken to the hospital. The Noah Lounge has been closed by the Board of Licenses -- the Board will hold a show-cause hearing on Monday.
- A 32-year-old man reported that he was shot in the hand on early Saturday. He told police that he was wounded in a robbery attempt on Oxford Street. He was hospitalized.
- On Saturday, Berta Hudson, 48 was shot and killed by her estranged husband on Charles Street. He ran to a neighboring house and when police surrounded him, Oscar Hudson killed himself.
- A stabbing occurred at the G Pub in the Financial District on Sunday morning at approximately 2:00 AM. The Board of Licenses have ordered the club on Orange Street to be closed.
