‘Hotbed of violent crime’

POLICE PRESENCE: Central Falls Police Chief Col. James Madonna and Mayor James Diossa, at the corner of Sylvian and Washington streets. / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO
POLICE PRESENCE: Central Falls Police Chief Col. James Madonna and Mayor James Diossa, at the corner of Sylvian and Washington streets. / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Problem: With one of the highest violent crime rates in the state, according to FBI statistics, the Central Falls Working Cities team has identified Sylvian Street as the epicenter of such problems. Absentee landlords, migratory tenants and a dilapidated urban streetscape all contribute to what the team called a “hotbed of violent crime.”

Pitch: To revitalize Sylvian Street and curb the trend of violent crime to improve the quality of life for families, and help bolster economic and educational reforms.

“THE TAGLINE is for this to become the best street in Central Falls: from worst to best,” said Peter Friedrichs, director of planning and economic development for the city. “Central Falls has had a really tough time with urban blight since the last century, and that culminated with the bankruptcy.”

Friedrichs is leading the Central Falls Working Cities team and says the plan is to revitalize Sylvian Street so that the residents of about 30 houses along the street can be proud of where they live. Beyond curbing crime, the team would also like to help grow the number of owner-occupied residences, as research has shown that owners who live in their homes take greater care of the property and neighborhood.

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“We want to turn it into a community that’s respected by its residents, and that’s a great place to do business and visit,” Friedrichs said. •

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