Safety Act and Earth Day Cleanup

FPNA Supports Safety Act

In late April, the Providence City Council voted to support the Providence Community Safety Act, “a comprehensive city ordinance to ban racial profiling and change the way that police interact with members of our community,” according to the CSA website. At the time of printing, the CSA awaited a second Council vote and Mayor Elorza’s signature.

The FPNA supported the Safety Act as a “common-sense solution to pressing systemic problems,” wrote to FPNA Vice-President Daisy Schnepel. “Although it reduces some flexibility on the part of the City and its police,” she continued, “it also protects police officers from unfair accusations and enhances public trust in our institutions.” The Step-Up Coalition worked for three years to develop the CSA, with input from a wide variety of community groups and stakeholders. The FPNA hopes to see it pass.

Neighbors Cleaned Up!

The FPNA held its annual Earth Day Clean-Up at a small park near the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier at Providence Steamboat, just west of India Point Park. Dozens of neighbors arrived to help, far exceeding expectations. “They kept coming!” said Alissa Peterson, event organizer and FPNA Board member.

Neighbors cleaned up trash, pulled out weeds and vines, added mulch, and removed two dead trees. “We had expert help from Sam Greenwood of Greenwood Landscape Design,” said Peterson. “He came with his chainsaw. This really opened up the space and gave a better sense of how nice it is to walk down there.” Neighbors then planted salt water-tolerant grasses and shrubs, and laid rocks to delineate the beds.

Many thanks to Fox Point neighbors for their elbow grease, including members of the Beta Omega Chi Fraternity at Brown University, who came out in great numbers, and two Sheldon Street neighbors who donated twenty pairs of work gloves at the last minute. The City provided mulch, clean-up supplies and plants; Sam Greenwood donated time, expertise, power tools, and rocks. “We chose the spot because it seemed like a neglected area,” said Peterson. “It gets a lot of traffic from fishermen. We wanted to continue the feeling of the Riverwalk toward the Park, past the restaurants. It’s really pretty down there.”