Providence residents outraged as convicted child rapist moves in

The welcome mat is being rolled up in the Washington Park section of Providence as residents are outraged to find out a convicted child rapist is their newest neighbor.

Richard Gardner did 30 years in prison for kidnapping and brutally raping children in the 1980’s in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Gardner was released and is now living in the Washington Park neighborhood of Providence.

If you were to search Rhode Island’s sex offender database you will not find Gardner’s name or address because his conviction predates Megan’s Law, which requires public notification before a sex offender moves into your neighborhood.

Gardner’s arrival now causing outrage with an emergency community meeting being held Wednesday at the Washington Park Community Center so residents can ask questions and learn how to live safely with Gardner in their neighborhood.

“The guy needs a place to live, he’s a human being but he’s a danger to society,” said Linda Perri with the Washington Park Association. “People are nervous and upset they were not notified in advance.”

Some parents, like Monica Huertas, tell ABC 6 that they just want Gardner out altogether.

“I’m pissed off. This is a little ridiculous. He is a violent, violent offender of children,” she said. “No, he’s not welcome here. He belongs in the woods somewhere, you know, where there’s no children, where there’s fewer houses.”

Gardner has registered with Providence Police, as is required by law.

Perri said a member of the police department will be at the meeting tomorrow to take any questions.

ABC 6 paid a visit to Gardner’s new home. An unidentified man asked us to leave, and Gardner refused to come to the door.