PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Jorge Elorza joined Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Paré, Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr., Sue Derita, Chair of the Elmhurst/Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Crime Watch and other community members at the West Broadway Neighborhood Association Headquarters today to announce an expansion of neighborhood crime watch programs in Providence.
“Ensuring the safety of our residents and those who visit our City is a top priority of my administration,” said Mayor Elorza. “When it comes to addressing crime, we know that the relationships built between the police and the community are the most effective tools we have at our disposal. These expanded and reinvigorated active neighborhood crime watch groups will work to engage neighbors and law enforcement to work together to protect our neighborhoods.”
In the past year, Providence has doubled the number of active neighborhood crime watches throughout the city. Mayor Elorza also announced the appointment of a Neighborhood Liaison on Crime Watch to all communities and neighborhoods in Providence.
In addition to the newly appointed liaison, the administration, in conjunction with public safety officials, has increased outreach and improved signage throughout the city to better serve residents. Chairs of all active neighborhood crime watches have been meeting on a quarterly basis to review best practices and recent crime data reports to better understand how they can serve their communities.
A citywide workshop will be held on April 25, 2016 at 6:00pm at the Public Safety Complex and with a panel that will discuss:
Identity Theft and the Web
Crimes of Opportunity
Home and Property Crime
Policing of Higher Education Institutions
To report suspicious activity call the Providence Police non-emergency line at 401-272-3121. To report a crime in progress, call 911. To provide information to the gun tip hotline call 1-855-776-7100 or text “PPDTIP” to 274637. To find out more about forming a group in your neighborhood or to join an existing group contact the Neighborhood Liaison on Crime Watch, Ani Haroian, at AHAROIAN@providenceri.com.