I was surprised and saddened to learn of violence in the neighborhood, particularly in the neighborhood of my private practice and city hall. The Projo is reporting that there was a fight which involved “puncture wounds” outside the Park Cafe, which is literally a stone’s throw both from my office at 390 Pontiac Avenue and city hall across the street.

When we first moved to Cranston almost 11 years ago, I distinctly remember the vitality of the Park Cinema (although soon they were to close and begin the near-decade long renovation period) and also the way the streets were so peaceful and residential right around there. The church we attend (and out of whose rectory I rent my office space) is located right behind the Park Cinema. It is a place of peace, a small, humble and elegant place of worship.

All this is to say we need to keep the peace in the neighborhood, and the Park Cafe needs to do its part. This means discouraging violence perhaps with some signs to remind patrons that it will not be tolerated, preventing drunkenness, and being responsible members of the community who call the police immediately if they sense danger anywhere. It’s good to know the police will work some off-duty security there, but everyone needs to practice more vigilance and make sure this doesn’t happen again.