PROVIDENCE – Several members of the Providence City Council are trying to strengthen the city’s hand in responding to complaints about the behavior of college students living in residential neighborhoods.
On Nov. 14, Councilman David Salvatore, who represents Ward 14, introduced a resolution that asks state lawmakers to increase the penalties for someone who assaults a police officer and clarifies the meaning of “dangerous weapon” to include glass bottles.
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A second resolution would establish a city Special Committee on Off-Campus Housing, Safety and Security.
Since the beginning of the fall semester, at least five incidents in Providence have involved college students throwing glass bottles at police, according to Salvatore.
His resolution asks the General Assembly to enact laws that would establish that throwing a glass bottle is considered a “dangerous weapon” and a felony assault.
Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan, who represents Ward 5, planned to hold a community meeting Wednesday to discuss issues of off-campus collegiate housing in the Elmhurst neighborhood.
Providence College and Johnson & Wales University leaders were expected to attend.
The issue is citywide but is particularly challenging in Elmhurst, said Ryan, who has introduced several proposals aimed at reining in problem households.
They included a set of nuisance activities that could lead to a house being declared a “chronic nuisance.”
Mary MacDonald is a staff writer for the PBN. Contact her at macdonald@pbn.com.
