Increase in Stabbings in Providence Has "Caught Our Attention," Says Police Major

The stabbing death of Troy Pine inside of Nara Lounge on Federal Hill marked the second killing in the city of Providence in less than a week -- and comes just months after the fatal stabbing of Stephen Cabral on Federal Hill.

Providence Police Major David Lapatin spoke to the department's concerns with what he sees as an increase of knife-related crime in the city. 

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"We’ve noticed an increase in stabbings," said Lapatin. "You kill someone with a gun, you’re looking at double life. If you stab somebody, you’re not right now."

On Friday, Providence Police issued an arrest warrant for Joel Francisco following the Federal Hill stabbing that took place early Thursday morning.

According to police, Francisco, 41, of Pawtucket, is responsible for the stabbing death of Troy Pine that took place inside Nara Lounge. 

"Is the word getting around? I don’t know. Is it a coincidence? I don’t know," said Lapatin of the increase of stabbings. "It’s definitely caught our attention."

Police Raise Awareness on Twitter -- Then Go Dark

At the end of August, Providence Police were keeping the public informed of crime in the city -- which included both gun and knife violence -- on Twitter. 

"The tweets of violence have been flying out of the Providence Police Department this weekend— two shot in Providence, a stabbing at a hookah lounge, and another stabbing in the city — and the weekend is still not over," reported GoLocalProv.

Since then, however, the Providence Police have stopped Tweeting about crime -- period. 

 

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