A proposed city ordinance that sponsors say would reduce racial discrimination in how the city is policed is being criticized as going too far, crippling the police department’s ability to track suspects and investigate gang activity.
Even council members who supported the ordinance’s introduction acknowledged that it could be pared back. Ward 10 Councilman Luis A. Aponte said the ordinance, dubbed the “Community Safety Act,” was written, in a way, to overreach.
“We included every possible thing,” he said, “understanding that it would be subject, in great likelihood, to debate and it would be subject to many amendments.”
City Council President Michael A. Solomon, who was among a majority of council members who introduced the proposed act at the end of the council’s June 19 meeting, agreed.
“It was put in by request,” said Solomon, who is running for mayor. “It will go to committee where it will be vetted and, I’m sure, there it’s very likely to be amended.”
The ordinance was written with input from community groups such as Direct Action for Rights and Equality, Providence Youth and Student Movement, and the Olneyville Neighborhood Association.
City Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Paré said the police department wasn’t consulted and said the proposed measure as written “does not strike the balance needed to protect civil liberties while keeping our community safe.”
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