Photo by Lindsey Lerner WPRO.com
By Sam Wroblewski, WPRO.com
Providence Senator Peter Jabour is calling for a larger police presence on Federal Hill following another weekend of violence.
“I believe that the violence has reached the level that is no longer tolerable in the Federal Hill commercial area and there certainly is a need now to have a more immediate [police] presence,” said Jabour.
Jabour advocates that police increase their presence on Federal Hill during the evening hours on Thursday through Sunday. The Senator believes the uptick in violence is due to the nightlife establishments in the area not providing enough security.
“There’s a pattern of violence there’s a pattern of ownership that is negligent in operating these establishments.”
The Senator says in order for there to be a long term solution, the city must rezone the area to be for restaurants only with very limited entertainment.
“It means the Planning Department, the Council, the Mayor, the State Legislators need to come up with a comprehensive plan and if you have to legislate a restrictive use on that street then so be it,” said Jabour.
