Convicted Pedophile Gardner’s Police Detail Has Cost Providence Approximately $140,000
GoLocalProv News Team
Convicted Pedophile Gardner’s Police Detail Has Cost Providence Approximately $140,000
The surveillance, which was downgraded from two officers, 24 hours a day for four weeks at a weekly cost of $19,000 to "permanent presence" at approximately $5,000 per week, which included just one officer, has been downgraded again.
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GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAccording to Providence, the new coverage status is "special attention," in which police on normal patrol duty will drive by Gardner's residence when their schedules allow. This will reduce police presence and the city’s costs.
The city saved thousands during the weeks when Gardner was in the Adult Correctional Institute after Cranston Police arrested him on a charge of probation violation, but that charge was dismissed and he was released.
“The Providence Police Department had maintained a coordinated presence, with security layers, at the home of Richard Gardner for public safety purposes. Factors involved, recently led the PPD to shift to a 'special attention' status on the location as opposed to the 'permanent presence,'" said the Providence Police on Tuesday.
Providence Chief of Police Hugh Clements first confirmed to GoLocal last Friday that the Providence Police Department had been monitoring the convicted pedophile with detectives working overtime -- which ended Saturday.
"Yes we are still monitoring Gardner," said Clements on Friday afternoon. "Any further details [regarding costs], we'll have to get back to you [next] week."
According to police sources, the surveillance was on a regular schedule and required the assignment and payment of Providence Police detectives at a cost of more than $160 per four-hour shift.
Timeline: Richard Gardner
The 1980s
In 1988, Gardner kidnapped a boy in Warwick and sexually assaulted him on a ball field. That same day, he abducted a boy from a Warwick library and sexually assaulted him. Gardner, at the time of the two assaults, he was on bail awaiting sentencing in Massachusetts for kidnapping and raping another child in the woods.
September 14, 2018
Massachusett's highest court -- the Supreme Judicial Court --ruled that a convicted child rapist from Weymouth cannot be held under a civil commitment order as a danger to children.
Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz appealed a Superior Court decision to deny his request to hold Gardner indefinitely as a sexually dangerous person, according to the Patriot Ledger.
"Gardner is registered as a Level 3 sex offender, a classification given to those considered the most likely to commit additional sex crimes.
Cruz’s office could have petitioned for a civil commitment before Gardner was released at the end of his Massachusetts sentence in 2016, but the office never filed a request with the court for reasons Cruz described at the time as 'human error,'” reported the paper.
October 11, 2018
Richard Gardner is released from prison and moves into a house on New York Avenue in the Washington Park section of Providence.
October 18, 2018
In response to community protests, Providence City Councilman Luis Aponte introduced an amendment to the Providence Code of Ordinances at the City Council meeting to codify restrictions for registered sex offenders residing in the City of Providence.
The amendment calls for stronger restrictions for sex offenders who reside in the City of Providence. It increases the distance sex offenders may reside from schools, daycares, and recreational areas from a 300-foot radius to a 500-foot radius. It also redefines the term “daycare” from a school with a certified pre-K program, to include all licensed daycare facilities that are clearly marked with at least one sign. Registered sex offenders will also be prohibited from entering or loitering within a 500-foot radius of the premises of a school, daycare center, or recreational area.
October 20, 2018
Gardner is married in Cranston to the Providence woman.
November 6, 2018
Convicted Rhode Island pedophile Richard Gardner -- was arrested on charges on fraud -- was held without bail on Rhode Island Superior Court on Monday. VIDEO
Gardner was joined by his attorney at the Governor Philip W. Noel Judicial Complex, where he learned he will be held until his next probation hearing on November 19.
Following the court appearance, Gardner's attorney Bob Mann -- who defended serial killer Craig Price -- refused to comment to the press.
November 19, 2019
Charges against convicted pedophile Richard Gardner for fraudulent activity were dismissed on Monday morning in Superior Court, with the judge dismissing the allegations of marriage license fraud as a potential probation violation.
Superior Court Judge Bennett Gallo ruled that the information provided by Garnder on his marriage license application -- listing Massachusetts and not his Rhode Island address -- did not constitute a violation of the terms of his probation.
February 15, 2019
Providence Chief of Police Hugh Clements confirmed Friday that the Providence Police Department is watching convicted pedophile Richard Gardner.
"Yes we are still monitoring Gardner," said Clements on Friday afternoon. "Any further details [regarding costs], we'll have to get back to you [next] week."
According to police sources the surveillance is on a regular schedule and requires the assignment and payment of Providence Police detectives at a cost of more than $160 per four-hour shift.
Feb 16, 2019
Center block is thrown through the window of Richard Gardner’s home. On February 16, 2019, there was a "malicious mischief" committed at the address that is being investigated by detectives. There are safety measures in place and, as always, anyone captured committing a criminal offense will be prosecuted.
February 19, 2019
Providence Police announce, “The Providence Police Department had maintained a coordinated presence, with security layers, at the home of Richard Gardner for public safety purposes. Factors involved, recently led the PPD to shift to a special attention status on the location as opposed to the permanent presence."
Major David Lapatin held a press conference. SEE VIDEO HERE
