Crime & Safety
Smithfield Police Add Extra Patrols, Request Vigilance
Smithfield police are adding extra patrols and urging vigilance over the next few days following Monday night's violence in Providence.
SMITHFIELD, RI — Smithfield town officials are asking residents and business owners to be extra vigilant over the next few days after groups descended on Providence Monday night in what Gov. Gina Raimondo repeatedly said on Tuesday was an "attack" on the city.
Smithfield police said they will have additional patrols on over the next few days. Residents and business owners are asked to "be excellent observers and immediately report suspicious bahavior and lawlessness" to the Smithfield Police Department at 401-231-2500.
A night of violence in Providence left windows broken and stores looted throughout downtown.
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Business owners, many of whom just reopened their stores after coronavirus restrictions were lifted, are now left to pick up the pieces.
Westminster Street in the heart of downtown was one of the hardest-hit. Shattered glass lined the street Tuesday morning as a small army of volunteers, employees and city workers worked to clear sidewalks and board up windows.
Find out what's happening in Smithfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
According to Providence Police Commissioner Steven Pare, 75 to 100 made it into the mall, "overwhelming" and outnumbering posted officers. More than a dozen stores inside the mall were looted, and approximately 70 people were arrested by the end of the night.
"They came here to blow up the Providence Place Mall," Raimondo said. "They came here to torch the State House. They came here to destroy much of the city of Providence. And it didn't happen. Because we were prepared."
Officers were called in from several surrounding communities, as well as approximately 60 members of the Rhode Island State Police and several Massachusetts state troopers. On Tuesday, the governor mobilized the Rhode Island National Guard to assist in the safety efforts.
Overnight curfews were put in place for Providence and Cranston on Tuesday night.
Patch Editor Rachel Nunes contributed to this report.
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