UPDATED: ATV Vandalism at Roger Williams Park’s Temple to Music
Friday, July 23, 2021
Providence’s Roger Williams Park was struck by vandalism overnight on Thursday.
Photos obtained by GoLocalProv.com show extensive damage by what appears to be off-road vehicles to the fields adjacent to the park’s Temple of Music.
According to officials, the destruction was caused by ATVs, motorbikes, as well as possibly cars.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTOn Friday, the Providence Fraternal Order of Police issued the following statement:
In an effort to appear progressive and to appeal to the far left, the Mayor and Commissioner are creating a lawless environment in our city. The police are here to do a job, and that is to protect and serve. How can the police protect the city and its inhabitants when their hands are tied every step of the way? The recent destruction to Roger Williams Park, for example, by illegal ATV activity is appalling. There is a middle ground here that the Mayor and Commissioner refuse to see.
The Providence Police Department has been working hard to build trust with the community, and we agree that policing has changed over the years into a better model. But what the Mayor and Commissioner seem to want is a police-less society, where criminals run the streets. Instead of being able to protect and serve, the Mayor and Commissioner seem to simply want police to observe and report. How does that keep the city safe? How does that stop rampant vandalism, like what happened in Roger Williams Park? It doesn’t.
We are disappointed for the law-abiding city residence who ultimately suffer from these policies, and disheartened by our inability to effectively curb destruction such as this by actually being able to enforce the law.
Vandalism of Top Attraction
In March, the Executive Director of the Roger Williams Park Zoo (RWP) Zoological Society sent a letter to a City Councilman describing how ATVs and off-road vehicles have destroyed the property -- and have ruined events at the Providence landmark.
Moreover, he expressed "great concern" over Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza's proposal to legalize ATVs and off-road bikes on city streets.
RWP Zoo Zoological Society Executive Director Jeremy Goodman urged Councilman Michael Correia not to legalize ATVs on city streets -- but rather find a designated location for ATVs and off-road vehicles to operate.
The Zoo is one of the city -- and state's -- largest tourist attractions.
Read Goodman’s letter here.
Providence Police did not respond to request for comment at time of publication.
Originally published Friday 11:41 AM
Updated Friday 1:05 PM
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- UPDATED: ATV Vandalism at Roger Williams Park’s Temple to Music
