The Scoop: Cianci, Elorza Spar Over Public Safety, GOP Ups the Heat on Raimondo/Reed Ad, and More

Cianci Unveils Plan to Improve Public Safety

Independent candidate for Mayor Vincent Cianci has introduced his plan to improve public safety.

Cianci said, “The steps that I announce today impact directly on reducing crime and incidents of violent crime.  If elected, the implementation of these measures will restore the confidence of our residents and visitors regarding the safety of Providence.  It’s a hard, cold fact: The city as it is today is not a city in which people feel safe.  The rise in violence on our streets is testimony to an underinvestment in the Providence Police Department.  This underinvestment simply cannot be allowed to continue, and it won’t be, if I am elected mayor."

“This press conference is as much about economic development as it is about public safety, because the two are inexorably linked. Job growth won’t happen in a city that isn’t safe, and a city won’t be safe when its residents don’t have jobs and opportunities to do work that they can take pride in," continued Cianci.

Cianci promised to add a 2015 police training academy to the FY 2015-2016 budget.

 “If elected to office,” Cianci said, “I’ll hire more police.  More importantly, I’ll use new policing strategies.  We need more police and we need to use our police better.

“Right now, there isn’t a captain on duty at night.  I’ll change that.  Foot patrols have been severely cut back.  I’ll restore them so that police are a visible and vital presence in the neighborhoods, downtown, and in and around our elderly high rises and schools.  We need to go back to the community policing strategies we had when I was mayor, when Providence was named as the Safest City in the Continental United States.  Our police department is confident in my plan and that’s why they’ve endorsed me," added Cianci.

Elorza Campaign Blasts Cianci Administration's Failed Performance on Public Safety

The Elorza Campaign called out Cianci administration's failed performance on public safety.

“Buddy Cianci’s empty promises around election time about reducing crime need to be evaluated against his failed record on public safety as Mayor of Providence, said campaign spokesman David Ortiz. “The Cianci record is characterized by rising crime, failure to implement community policing, constant political interference in the Providence Police Department and widespread corruption.”

The Elorza campaign cited the promotional testing scandal. Under Cianci's administration, certain police officers were given advanced copies of the exams.

GOP Chairman Mark Smiley Updates Media on Case Against Reed and Raimondo Ad

Mark Smiley, Chairman of the Rhode Island Republican Party, updated the media on the Reed/Raimondo ad.

On Wednesday, Smiley filed a formal complaint with the Rhode Island Board of Elections alleging a violation of campaign finance law.

Smiley said, "We have been informed by legal counsel that a hearing has been tentatively scheduled for Wednesday at 3:30...We asked for a cease and desist order last week, but whether or not that is relevant on the date of the hearing, it is truly important that someone be held accountable for this violation. No party or candidate; federal, state or local is above the law. There needs to be accountability. We are looking forward to a fair and transparent process as the Board hears this case.

Lynch Calls for Improved Cybersecurity Measures

Republican candidate for Congress Cormick Lynch addressed the JPMorgan Chase data breach and called for improved cybersecurity measures on U.S. critical infrastructures.

Lynch said, “If state or non-state actors executed a cyber-attack on any number of our critical infrastructure sectors, it could immediately paralyze the country due to our interdependencies.   It is time our leadership takes proactive, meaningful measures to combat the increasing potential for future cyber-threats. The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has identified seven major challenges in protecting cyber critical infrastructure. We must acknowledge and embrace these challenges, address their concerns, and develop new cybersecurity policies to protect our nation. It is the duty of all our elected officials to ensure our critical infrastructure assets are protected and sustain our national security.  The efforts to date are insufficient and we must take swift, immediate corrective action.”

Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals Endorse Magaziner

Democratic candidate for General Treasurer Seth Magaziner has received the endorsement of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals.

“Seth is the right choice for our members,” said Frank Flynn, RIFTHP President. “He will use the Treasurer’s office to create good jobs in Rhode Island, and invest our pension fund responsibly, ensuring a secure and dignified retirement for people who devote their lives to helping their communities. We look forward to working with Seth through Election Day and beyond to get Rhode Island back on track.”