Witman Blisters Elorza Over Crime in Providence
Friday, September 07, 2018
Providence Mayoral candidate Dianne “Dee Dee” Witman issued strong criticism about how sitting Mayor Jorge Elorza has handled public safety as Mayor of Providence.
“Well, I can honestly say -- [this week's shooting] is what happens when police are understaffed by nearly 100 officers,” said Witman in an interview with GoLocalProv on Thursday.
She is running as an independent and will face the winner of the Democratic primary next Wednesday.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“And — I don't want to be trite — but this is what happens when ATVs are allowed to run rampant, terrorizing families. This is what happens when you have a lack of real youth recreation programs that might deter this type of tragedy," added Witman, just a day after a 15-year-old Providence student was killed in front of a Providence high school.
Public safety officers had to wash the blood of 15-year old William Parsons — the victim of Wednesday’s shooting — off the sign of the Providence Career and Technical Academy and the sidewalk where he was shot.
Witman’s comments are a scathing attack on Elorza’s record in combatting crime and managing public safety. Providence Police has been understaffed and Providence Fire Department has been without a professional Fire Chief for three plus years.
Jason Allard, spokesperson for the Elorza campaign did not respond to GoLocal’s request to address Witman’s comments.
Mayor Called Providence Place Mall Shooter a “Knucklehead”
In January 2018, one Providence man shot another Providence teenager inside Providence Place Mall. That night thousands were visiting the mall and thousands more were in downtown Providence attending a Providence College men's basketball game.
Later in a press conference, Elorza told reporters that the shooter was a “knucklehead.” The Mall had to be evacuated during the response and investigation.
“I do believe this is a broken city. As a mom and a resident, I'm disturbed by it all. Yesterday, a mom kissed a kid who went to school -- and will never see this kid again. Nothing — nothing — is more important than the safety of our kids,” said Witman.
“The most important thing I would do is get in Chief Clements and find out what he has to do — this new class [Providence Police Academy] is coming on and they're trained and up to snuff. And start from there. You need to find where your dollars are going,” added Witman.
Elorza’s policies have come under fire from everyone from rank and file Providence Police officers and downtown developers.
Videos unveiled by GoLocalProv in 2017 showed ATVs illegally operating both on Providence and Rhode Island state roads. The videos drew a strong reaction from the community after two Providence police sources told GoLocal they were instructed not to actively pursue ATV vehicles, despite city ordinance outlawing them.
“I think [the Elorza Administration] takes a different approach than I would. I don't know if they're lax on crime, but they're sympathetic to second chances maybe. I do know that you really have to show both your citizenry and residents that we all need to live in the community safely. And I do believe that despite what Elorza says - that crime is up. I don't know how he measures it — stats can be played with. But from talking with people, crime is one of the top issues,” continued Witman.
Witman Defends Police Department
Witman said she believes the Providence Police have done an excellent job considering the limitations Elorza has placed on them.
“I think the police have done a remarkable job with their programs, showing that they're in place to be our friends and protectors and not our enemies — they've come a long way since I was kid,” said Witman.
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