Providence Police Union President Places Blame for Crime on Elorza for Anti-Police Attitude

Thursday, August 20, 2020

GoLocalProv News Team

 

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Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza

Providence FOP President Michael Imondi is placing the blame for the recent uptick in violence and anti-police sentiment in Providence on Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza and “extremists” such as City Councilor Kat Kerwin.

“In Providence, Mayor Elorza and some city council members would like you to believe that we can still effectively control crime in the city with less manpower and a more severely reduced Police Department budget, by further defunding and reducing our already depleted Police Department. Worse, extremist City councilwoman Kerwin believes that we don't even need our Police Department,” said Imondi in a statement on Wednesday night.

Providence police responded to a fatal shooting early Wednesday morning -- the city's fourth homicide in just over a week. 

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“The uptick in crime rates and homicides in the City of Providence should come as no surprise. Providence is now no different from other cities around the country that are handcuffing police departments by listening to the anti-police/defund-the-police/abolish the police movements being loudly pushed by the vocal extremists who do not represent the vast majority of Americans. These movements have emboldened criminals and those who want to break the laws and create chaos and anarchy, leaving the police undermanned and unable to keep up with crime waves in many instances," said Imondi.

In recent days Councilors Carmen Castillo and Nicholas Narducci have defended the Providence Police.

On Wednesday, Narducci said, "The constituents that I have spoken to are outraged that there is even a call to defund the police, and I agree. No one is critical of increased training around cultural competency and/or anti-discrimination training - that is not only reasonable but warranted in a multi-cultural city like Providence."

Castillo said, "My neighborhood needs more police officers, not less. I pledge to examine the budget and see areas where we could eliminate unnecessary costs and redirect them to affordable housing and education. Having said that, I sincerely believe that we need to fund our police department so that they can do their job safely. The area south of Providence is diverse and beautiful, but crime and violence remain a problem. As Councilwoman for Ward 9, I am committed to protecting the quality of life of my neighbors, and that means supporting public safety.”

Imondi said in his statement, "Maybe we should ask the City’s residents, homeowners, and business owners what they think. How do they feel about further depleting our Police Department? Maybe we should ask why the City Council and Mayor repeatedly budget every year for 494 police officers, when they are fully aware that we haven't been above 440 officers in over 11 years, and in recent years have seen our manpower drop below 400 on several occasions.

"What will further defunding our Police Department look like and how will that affect the community you live in and the City’s crime rates? Where does the money budgeted for the additional 54 plus officers go to every year, it is certainly not to the police department. That all said, we as Providence Police Officers do know and can say with confidence that whatever our Police Department looks like in the future, we as police professionals will do the best we can with tools we are allowed to use to keep the city as safe as possible … but it is becoming increasingly difficult to do so when many of our local and national lawmakers - those who are in control of police budgets – are seemingly fighting against us and fighting for those who want lawlessness," he added.

This story was first published 8/19/20 6:31 PM

 

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