Contact: Captain Darren H. Delaney, District "A" Commander, Telephone: (401) 444-1006
During the week of September 5, 2011, the Providence College (PC) Office of Safety and Security contacted the State Police seeking assistance in dealing with the historically unruly and disruptive crowds that regularly gather on the weekends in Providence's Elmhurst neighborhood when students return to school at Providence College and other area colleges and universities in the city.
On the evenings of Friday, September 9, 2011, Friday, September 16, 2011, and Friday, September 23, 2011, the State and Providence Police, in cooperation with the PC Office of Safety and Security, assigned several uniformed State Troopers and Providence Police Officers to the area with the intention of initially providing a visual deterrence to the public consumption of alcohol and public intoxication that typically results in the previously described behavior spilling over into the residential neighborhoods surrounding the college.
On Friday, September 9th, State and Providence Police arrested a total of twenty-three (23) people for violating liquor laws, specifically possession of an open container of alcohol and public drinking, and one (1) for Disorderly Conduct. They also issued eleven (11) summonses for various motor vehicle violations as a result of patrolling the area and unrelated to the arrests.
On Friday, September 16th, State and Providence Police arrested a total of twenty-six (26) people for violating liquor laws, specifically for possession of an open container of alcohol and public drinking. They also issued three (3) summonses for various motor vehicle violations as a result of patrolling the area and unrelated to the arrests.
On Friday, September 23rd, the State Police arrested ten (10) people for various offenses to include warrant arrests, possession of ecstasy and consumption of alcohol while underage but only two of those arrested were college students. They also issued eight (8) summonses for various motor vehicle violations and investigated one (1) motor vehicle accident. It is believed that the typically large gathering of students was thwarted due to the inclement weather.
Colonel Steven G. O'Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, stated, "The State Police and our partners are committed to an effort to enforce, deter and prevent the abuse of alcohol. Those arrested need to be held accountable for their actions and respect the dignity of their neighbors. The arrest should serve as a message to curb abhorrent behavior."
Commander Hugh T. Clements, Acting Chief of the Providence Police Department, stated, "The Providence Police Department, Providence College security officials, and the Rhode Island State Police, are all committed to eliminating underage drinking, public drinking, and the disorder associated with it. The police department, its law enforcement partners, and the Elmhurst community will no longer tolerate this behavior. We will work together to restore the quality of life for the residents of Elmhurst."
Dr. Steven A. Sears, Interim Vice President of Student Affairs at Providence College, said, "Providence College remains committed to working in concert with the Rhode Island State Police, the Providence Police Department and our own Safety & Security personnel to ensure the neighborhoods in and around our campus are safe and peaceful residential environments. We do not condone, in any way, the actions of those Providence College students who were recently cited for violations involving alcohol and/or disturbing the peace. In addition to whatever fines and civil penalties are imposed by State or City law enforcement officials, those students will face institutional discipline through our established channels here at the College.
We will remain vigilant and transparent in our efforts to curb disruptive behaviors throughout the off-campus community. I welcome all interested constituents to review the initiatives and best practices already integrated into our student development framework, readily available on the College website: http://www.providence.edu/student-affairs/alcohol-initiatives/
I commend the State Police and the Providence Police for working together with us to enforce the law and to make the neighborhood around our campus safe. We will continue to honor this partnership, as well as the efforts of our own Safety & Security staff by exploring viable, holistic solutions to the dangers and problems inherent to the abuse of alcohol," Dr. Sears said.
Of the sixty (60) people arrested, forty-two (42) were students from Providence College, nine (9) were students from Johnson and Wales University, one (1) was a student from the Community College of Rhode Island.