5 men arrested after ‘unruly’ crowd of 500 people gather in downtown Providence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) —  Four juveniles and one man were arrested in Providence yesterday after refusing to disperse from a large crowd in downtown Providence.

According to officials, Providence Police had received a call that fireworks were falling on top of homes.

Crews were dispatched to find illegally parked vehicles on both sides of Orms Street, Smith Street, Goddard Street, and Candace Street.

Approximately 500 people were loitering, drinking open containers of alcohol, said Providence officials.

Several people were watching fireworks being lit in Goddard Park, while an active bonfire was being lit in the basketball court.

According to police, officers tried to disperse the crowd when four juveniles refused to disperse and were subsequently arrested.

One male was arrested who stood in the middle of the street preventing police from dispersing the crowd.