Providence police to increase patrols amid trend of nightclub violence
by TEMI-TOPE ADELEYE, NBC 10 NEWS
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — Providence police have responded to four different late-night spots in three weeks, to investigate violent incidents.
Some of the incidents included stabbings and shootings, but all of them resulted in emergency license meetings and temporary business closures.
Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez addressed the issues with NBC 10 News on Monday.
“It’s unfortunate. I think we have a great nightlife in the city, where people come and celebrate and enjoy themselves,” said Perez. “Unfortunately some people are causing some harm.”
Board of Licenses Chairman Dylan Conley called the streak “disappointing.”
“You know I’m disappointed. We’ve had a really long run of some really strong safety,” said Conley. “We haven’t had any issues, and then all of a sudden there seems to be a bit of a hot streak.”
Afrique D’ Lounge on Federal Hill was temporarily closed on Nov. 3, after a stabbing involving one of the security guards.
They have since reopened with a new security team.
There was a stabbing at Saje Kitchen and Bar on Federal Hill on Nov. 8.
Multiple people were stabbed at Lovera VIP on Broad Street on Saturday, during the early morning hours.
The next day, there was a shooting early Sunday morning at a parking lot on Charles Street.
The shooting allegedly involved dozens of people coming from Mezzo Lounge.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen to each of these cases because I don’t know the facts,” said Conley. “But what I don’t want to have happen again is for the board to find that some place should not be open and then the state reopen them. It makes it really hard to guarantee public safety when we’re being undermined by the state.”
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Conley said each business has security and a few already have police detail.
“They all have security. I believe at least two of them usually has detail. I don’t know the specifics as to the evenings, at which the different events occurred,” said Conley. “Some of these establishments have history. Some don’t. Some have reacted really well to the problems, some didn’t. So, we’re really trying to figure out exactly what happened in each case.”
The Board of Licenses voted to close Saje Kitchen last year, but the state allowed it to remain open.
Perez commended both local and state licensing agencies for their hard work.
NBC 10 News asked Perez if the state’s decision to keep establishments like Saje’s Kitchen open, makes their job harder.
“I think our job again is to primarily ensure the safety is there. We’ll continue to do our job as good as we can and it shows,” said Perez. “I mean the city is safe overall, crime is trending down.”
Board of Licenses Chairman Dylan Conley. (WJAR)
Perez said the department will increase patrols to keep everyone safe, but he also believes finding a solution needs to be a team effort.
“I think it’s a combination of things. It’s increased patrol of some of these establishments,” said Perez. “It’s also the enforcement of the license bureau. It’s collaboration with the venues to ensure that they are properly having their license, that their staff is properly trained and certified.”
Perez also reminds patrons to report suspicious events or problems to security or police.
Investigations into these incidents are ongoing.
“They [police] only bring charges when charges are necessary,” said Conley. “We won’t take action against a licensee unless they really did something that was wrong.”
Mezzo Lounge, Lovera VIP, and Saje Kitchen and Bar will remain closed until their next hearings.