Providence Mayor David Cicilline and Providence Police Chief Dean Esserman led a walk through South Providence. The participants passed many LISC investments; including this affordable housing developed by Stop Wasting Abandoned Property (background).

Providence Celebrates Success of Community Policing

Rhode Island LISC was among the five organizations recognized by the Providence Police Department at today's ceremony.

(2-15-2008,  Providence, RI) -  "We stand here today surrounded by our partners who have worked side-by-side with police to create a safer city," said Mayor David N. Cicilline as he joined Police Chief Dean M. Esserman, the men and women of the Providence Police Department, community organizations and residents to celebrate five years of community policing.

The successful crime prevention initiative has resulted in a 30% drop in crime in Providence over the past five years and serves as a national model for building partnerships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

"This Police department did not do this job alone" said Colonel Dean M. Esserman, "Over these past five years we have worked in partnership with residents and community organizations and today we honor those partners."

The five community organizations recognized:

1. Family Service of Rhode Island
2. Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence
3. Providence After School Alliance
4. Rhode Island LISC
5. The Providence Plan

>> Read the Providence Journal's coverage of the event