Tony ‘The Dancing Cop’ dances on in Newport
By Bianca Buono
@BBuonoABC6
Tony ‘The Dancing Cop’ is back after shaking things up in Providence last November. The Providence Police Department cut ties with the well-known traffic cop, but now ‘The Dancing Cop’ is dancing on.
"I didn’t know if Newport was going to hire me this year,” said Tony Lepore, the ‘Dancing Cop.’
But they did. Crowds at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Newport cheered as the local celeb made one of his first major public appearances since he stirred controversy last October.
Lepore led a protest against a Providence Dunkin’ Donuts where a worker wrote ‘Black Lives Matter’ on a cup intended for a police officer. The stunt led to the providence police department cutting ties with him.
"I made a stand and I am not regretting it and I’m still standing by my word,” Lepore said.
After the parade, Lepore danced his way to his very own performance with an audience of dozens of kids.
A member in the band playing before Lepore made a statement, painting the words “Black Lives Matter” on the back of his shirt.
You won’t be seeing Lepore’s famous footwork at the Providence St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The city didn’t invite him back; but the eccentric traffic cop is putting the bad blood behind him.
"I’m moving on. That’s a waste of time now. At the time I was very upset about it but now I’m over it,” said Lepore.
Lepore’s brother passed away two days ago so he thought about canceling his appearance Saturday, but said he didn’t want to let the kids down.
He has another appearance in Mystic, CT later this month.
© WLNE-TV 2016
