EDITORIAL: Providence's Endless Club Violence Must End

EDITORIAL: Providence's Endless Club Violence Must End

The cycle continues over and over. A stabbing or shooting takes place — followed by an emergency meeting of the Providence Board of Licenses, then a club is closed for a few days. Then the club faces some minimal penalty, and then the club re-opens.

It happens over and over.

Once in a blue moon, a club is closed — only after multiple incidents, injuries or death.

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The tragic death of Stephen Cabral was savage and hopefully, his memory will be the motivation for significant and permanent change.

GoLocal takes no pride in publishing the video of the vicious attack. Mr. Cabral was a son, father, brother and loved one. It could be anyone’s son, father, brother or loved one.

However, not to show the video -- and not to inform people of the realities of Providence club life -- would be irresponsible. The violence is real, dangerous and too often ignored.

Last year, it was stabbings at Ultra, the year before it was the Vault and Van Gogh, Aqua and Flow. The violence is endless and needs to end.

This is not just about closing a single club, it is critical that there is a different approach to regulating and policing these clubs -- not after the stabbing, beating, or shooting.

It is destroying lives, neighborhoods, and the viability of business districts. Federal Hill used to be the destination for a romantic dinner, to celebrate a birthday or have rehearsal dinner -- now it is developing a reputation for lawlessness.

It is time for Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza; Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare; Chief Hugh Clements; and the members of the Board of Licenses — Chair Dylan Conley, Vice Chair Charles Newton, and members Delia Rodriguez-Masjoan, Peter Mancini, and Jose Batista -- to take real action.

If they don’t have the tools or don’t have the will to make Providence safe, then shame on them for not speaking out.

It is time to stop the cycle. Time to protect people’s lives. No more excuses.