EXCLUSIVE: Providence Police Internal Memo Claims Policewoman Found Piles of Projectiles
Friday, June 05, 2020
An internal department memo sent by Providence Police Lt. William Brown states that a Providence policewoman found piles of projectiles during a patrol.
The memo outlines the discovery and urges the inspection of areas and states, “it does not take long for these items to get placed,” states Brown’s memo.
Neither the memo nor the police sources tie the projectiles to the Black Lives Matter protest organizers. Police sources tell GoLocal they believe there is a threat that others may try to adversely impact the event during or after the event.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIn an afternoon press conference, Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare claimed he had no information about potential threats.
“We have no credible information that there’s any plan for rioting or violence as it relates to this demonstration that’s planned for tomorrow [Friday].”
Providence has a scheduled 9 PM curfew.
As GoLocal reported on Thursday, multiple police sources said the piles were small -- and in areas not likely to be seen from the street.
Police are reportedly on the lookout for any similar stockpiles throughout the city.
Protest Scheduled for Friday
The protest is scheduled for 4:30 PM on Friday in Providence. The protest begins at Kennedy Plaza.
Last Saturday's Black Lives Matter was peaceful -- with some defacement of the Rhode Island State House -- but the city was hit with vandalism and rioting early Tuesday morning.
More than 1,000 people on the event Facebook page have said they are going; more than 3,000 have indicated they are "interested."
On Tuesday morning more than 100 stores in Providence were vandalized and looted.
