[Summit] News from the Elmwood/South Providence Crime Watch [Covid News no. 292]

Fri Jun 5 18:53:51 UTC 2020

George Floyd. Rallies calling for the end to racial violence. Looting in Providence. 

The pandemic.  Phase 2 re-openings. The curfew.
These are unprecedented times in our lifetime.  
The Elmwood and South Providence Neighborhood Crime Watch thanks the South Providence Neighborhood Association for its call to stand together to end the legacies of racism and dismantle the hundreds of years of disequities that have resulted in untold human suffering. 
The Elmwood and South Providence Neighborhood Crime Watch stands with the many other Neighborhood Associations and nonprofits in Providence who have made public statements. It's heartening to be standing with the West Broadway Neighborhood Association, West Elmwood Housing Corporation, Providence Preservation Society, the Steelyard and many more, the list being too long to mention them all.   

There are many voices and words do matter when talking about race and unrest. Actions also matter, as does our ability to listen, hear and thoughtfully examine multiple viewpoints. 
The thought for this week, as Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King once said, "A riot is the language of the unheard."

>From the Commissioner of Public Safety Steven M. Paré and Chief of Police Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr. in a joint statement..   

"It is with great sadness and utter disappointment to view the video of the Minneapolis Police Officers use of deadly force of Mr. George Floyd. We unequivocally condemn the actions of the police officers. Mr. Floyd died because of inappropriate and excess use of force by police officers that took an oath to protect and serve. The Providence Police Department further condemns the kneeling on the neck or throat as a proper use of force tactic. This tactic is not part of our training and we constantly review our policies and practices as it relates to use of force to ensure that these tactics are never used by the Providence Police Department. We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Floyd."Mayor Jorge O. Elorza added, "No one should ever fear for their life when interacting with the police. The injustice suffered by George Floyd is unacceptable and a call for us to take a hard look at the institutional racism in this country. My heart goes out to the Floyd family and to the many others who suffered similar injustices and should be alive, with us today."  

>From Mayor Elorza...

A wise man once told me that your children watch you more than they listen to you. As a parent, I have found that to be 100 percent true. It's clear that racist, anti-Black violence is not a one-off, isolated incident, but rather part of a systemic societal problem that persists in our country. I ask parents to talk to their children about these injustices, but more so, I ask parents to set the example by affirming that Black Lives Matter and by taking action to eradicate racism in all of its forms. 

And, from Angélica Infante-Green, Education Commissioner... 
Pain, anger, and despair have led not just to protest, but to a heightened and unyielding demand for solutions that change the very system that allows these acts to happen. This is a historic time in our nation, one that we hope will be transformative and lead us to a better, shared future. However, transformative change is hard-earned. As educators, we have a responsibility to be on the right side of history by listening, by learning, by supporting, and by acting in ways that not only confront racist acts and individuals, but that dismantle racist policies, practices, and institutions. This is a time where we, as members of the education community of Rhode Island, need to take a stand and support our black students, their families, and our black colleagues by acknowledging their pain and frustration, saying publicly, “Enough is enough!” 

Due to the events of the week, there is no weekly crime report this week. 

Again, this week neighbors have contacted us about speeding cars and loud music. .

Remember, if you see something, report it. Call 272-1111 or 911 if an emergency. 

To report graffiti, large items on the sidewalk, pot holes, blocked storm drains and the smaller but important quality of residential life in the Southside, call 311 to make a report. 

Remember, there is a citywide curfew from 9:00PM - 5:00AM until June 9th
City of Providence Announces Updates to Guidelines and Restrictions - City of Providence

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City of Providence Announces Updates to Guidelines and Restrictions - Ci...

Citywide Curfew Now in Effect 9:00PM-5:00AM June 4, 2020 PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today signed a...
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Curfew implemented in Rhode Island communities after Providence Place looting

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Curfew implemented in Rhode Island communities after Providence Place lo...

A curfew has been implemented in Providence and several other Rhode Island communities following a riot that lef...
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Today... 

The United Way hosted a virtual community conversation to address racism. 

Goverrnor Raimondo held a press conference with a local leader from Black Lives Matter to discuss racial justice. 

A protest, organized by the Youth Foundation, is expected to begin at Central High School in Providence at 4:30 p.m. and march down to Kennedy Plaza. 
 https://turnto10.com/news/local/peaceful-protest-planned-in-providence-friday

Tomorrow...

The Downtown Neighborhood Association is hosting a neighborhood cleanup on Saturday morning at 9:00 am. Gather on the front steps of City Hall.

Information related to COVID-19, safety, livability, wellness and ways to stay connected...  

While COVID-19 is still having its impact, Rhode Island is moving to re-open in stages.

According to Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe, Rhode Island Rhode Island was up to 15,325 confirmed coronavirus cases on Thursday, after adding 100 new cases. The state announced 14 more deaths, bringing the total to 756. There were 185 people in the hospital, 42 in intensive care, and 29 were on ventilators.

Governor Gina M. Raimondo signed executive orders to continue the wearing of masks in public: 
 https://governor.ri.gov/documents/orders/Executive-Order-20-41.pdf  andhttps://governor.ri.gov/documents/orders/Executive-Order-20-42.pdf
Public Benefits and Cares Act:
Congress passed the CARES Act providing several supports to Americans in response to the impact of COVID-19 including Stimulus Payments and an Unemployment Compensation increase. Here is some additional information about how Stimulus Payments and Unemployment Compensation impact households that receive public benefits: SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), TANF (RI Works), CCAP (Child Care Assistance), Medicaid.
Stimulus payments (also called Economic Impact Payments): 
Stimulus payments were made to most households that had filed 2018 or 2019 federal income taxes. The payments were typically $1200 for an adult and an additional $500 per minor aged child. 
If your household receives public benefits and received a stimulus payment, the payment does not need to be reported to DHS (Department of Human Services) outside of the normal recertification time. As long as it is spent within a year it will have no impact on your benefit amount or eligibility.
Unemployment Benefit Compensation Boost:
Individuals receiving or applying for Unemployment benefits on or after April 4, 2020, through July 31, 2020, receive an additional $600 of Unemployment income with their weekly Unemployment benefit.
If your household receives public benefits, this income must be reported to DHS and may impact your benefit amount or eligibility.
SNAP: Unemployment income, including the boost, count toward income eligibility. Many households will no longer be eligible for SNAP with this increased income. For example, a household of 3 whose income goes above $759 a week would likely lose eligibility for SNAP.
RI Works: Unemployment income, including the boost, count toward income eligibility. Households will no longer be eligible for RI Works with this increased income.
CCAP: Unemployment income, including the boost, count toward income eligibility. Households may no longer be eligible for CCAP with the increased income. For example, a household of 3 whose income goes above $925 a week would lose eligibility for CCAP. 
Medicaid: The CARES Act explicitly states that the increased Unemployment benefit has no impact on Medicaid eligibility. 
If the increased income is not reported to DHS and you receive more benefits than your household was entitled to, those benefits will need to be repaid to DHS.
If your case closes due to the Unemployment increase and your income remains low once the increase expires, you can re-apply for benefits.

Remember... to support the city's economy, Mayor Jorge Elorza announced that there will be 2 hour free parking in the city's business districts.
Volunteer!  If you would like to help prepare a food corridor in a local community garden, contact Doug at doug.crimewatch at gmail.com

On a more mundane/ taking care of everyday things note...
Street Sweeping Schedule for the Southside
Ward 8:  June 7-11, Ward 11:  June 14-18, Ward 9 and Ward10:  June 28–July 2. Crews will clean streets nightly from 10:30 PM-7 AM.

Take Free Summer Classes at College Unbound...

https://us3.campaign-archive.com/?e=&u=a732ab175e9b311ec1a3c1d60&id=ae285f43fb

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