Residents disturbed by Providence College students’ party behavior
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Providence College is tucked into the Elmhurst neighborhood of Providence, a shared community with both students and resident living side-by-side.
Recently, the majority of the Providence City Council signed on to a letter to the college, which asked for action regarding the student’s off-campus partying behavior.
“It’s sticking 150 22-year-olds on one block, next to a college,” Senior Sam Furey said. “Seems pretty on par, it’s honestly how every year goes. It’s just frustrating that this year is the one that they are barreling down on.”
One resident said she is worried about the safety of the students amid recent partying.
“It’s a safety concern type of response,” she said. “College kids are going to be college kids. There comes a point where safety really needs to be recognized, and they need to understand the drinking and walking into the streets is not okay, and hanging over balconies is not okay.”
She added that she had a glass bottle thrown at her by students who were celebrating and not paying attention.
Mayor Brett Smiley responded to recent police activity in the area of Eaton Street off campus.
“Police have already been involved, there’s been a handful of arrests through the opening days of school for public intoxication, public disturbance, and we are going to continue to enforce our laws and ordinances for off-campus housing when students are out of control,” he said.
Students said they don’t understand why this issue is getting more attention this year.
“In terms of the neighbors, we want to have a good relationship with them as much as they want to have a good relationship with us,” Senior Aidan Roche said. “That’s something we are looking to continue here as seniors and something we have experienced our entire three years here at the school.”
Providence College sent ABC 6 News a statement in response to the recent concerns:
We recognize that a number of our neighbors are upset about recent loud late-night parties and inappropriate behavior by PC students who live in local neighborhoods surrounding our campus. The Elmhurst area is full of good, hard-working people, including young families who are raising small children. There are also a number of people who work from home and need a certain level of quiet to be able to do their jobs as well.
At Providence College, we are proud of the extensive amount of community service in which our students are engaged, over 15,000 hours in the last academic year. Just a few weeks ago, over 100 incoming first-year students spent three days working in the local community. They assisted principals and teachers at Robert F. Kennedy Elementary and St. Pius V schools in painting, cleaning and preparing those schools for the start of the academic year. They worked with Councilwoman Jo-Anne Ryan on a clean-up of the Pleasant Valley Parkway area, and they also worked with Councilwoman Althea Graves and members of the Smith Hill community to clear trash and clean a number of streets in Smith Hill. They represent the College well, and they appreciate the relationships that have developed with many different constituencies in Providence.
We apologize for behaviors that are inconsistent with the institutional values for which we stand, and we will continue to challenge our students to be good neighbors and responsible citizens. The College will work with our students, with the Providence Police, and with our elected officials to ensure that our neighbors can enjoy the quality of life to which they are entitled. School officials have met and will continue to engage with local representatives. Beginning Monday, September 16, Providence College President Fr. Kenneth Sicard, O.P. will be meeting with Mayor Smiley on a quarterly basis to continue to explore ways to enhance relations between the College and the City of Providence.
