Smiley Announces Annual Kennedy Plaza Drug Bust in Providence - Comes After GoLocal Investigation
GoLocalProv News Team
Smiley Announces Annual Kennedy Plaza Drug Bust in Providence - Comes After GoLocal Investigation
Providence Police on Monday said that 22 individuals were arrested for illegal drug sales in Kennedy Plaza.
Just over one year ago, Providence Police made a nearly identical announcement of 19 arrests in a drug sweep.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“These arrests should send a clear message to those involved in the illegal possession or distribution of narcotics that Providence Police will not tolerate this unlawful activity within our city and they will be apprehended,” said then Colonel Oscar L. Perez, Jr. on August 31, 2023.
Fast forward one year, and another drug bust, and another press conference.
Police say one of the 22 arrested in this sweep was also one of the 19 arrested last year.
Epicenter for Crime
As GoLocal reported in August, the transportation hub between Providence City Hall and the U.S. Federal Court House has been "ground zero" for crime in the city.
Between July 1 and 23, there were eleven assaults at Kennedy Plaza, including one that took place directly across the street next to City Hall.
As GoLocal reported:
Over the past two weeks, GoLocal visited Kennedy Plaza on ten occasions, and despite the crime, no Providence Police officer was seen on-site at any time. None.
What could be seen was open drug dealing and an ever-growing number of homeless individuals. And, the new location for gathering is the gateway to the BankNewport City Center facility located at 2 Kennedy Plaza. The Skating Center is under construction. The entrance area of the Skating Center is now a meeting place.
Latest Announcement
Providence Police announced Monday that following “a month-long investigation, the Providence Police Department obtained 22 arrest warrants for individuals involved in the organized possession and distribution of illegal narcotics in the Kennedy Plaza area.”
“The majority of the 22 suspects have criminal histories with 14 of the suspects having previous felony/violent crime convictions to include: Robbery, Sexual Assault, Felony Assault, Illegal Firearms Offenses, Drug Distribution Offenses and Domestic Violence,” said Providence Police. “10 of these suspects are probation violators and includes one subject who was also apprehended in the previous Kennedy Plaza operation.”
“The illegal possession and distribution of narcotics in Providence is not tolerated and this milestone investigation should send a clear message to our community that individuals who engage in unlawful activity will be held accountable,” said Perez.
