Reactions continue to pour in from across the political spectrum on Cranston Mayor's executive order - and it's not good
"It is unfortunate that rather than choosing to work with the City Council the Mayor has chosen to act on his own accord."
Reactions to Cranston Mayor Kenneth Hopkins’ Executive Order effectively criminalizing sleeping outside on public land continue to come in. On Wednesday of last week, Mayor Hopkins signed an executive order granting immediate authority to the Cranston Police Department to enter and clear the encampments of unhoused people. The executive order enacted by fiat an ordinance from the Mayor that was rejected by the Cranston City Council.
On Thursday Hopkins’ opponent in the upcoming Republican Primary for Mayor of Cranston, State Representative Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung, said she was not in favor of the ordinance. The day before the Rhode Island ACLU called the executive order “a dangerous misuse of executive authority.”
City Councilmember Robert Ferri, who will challenge the winner of the Republican Primary for Cranston Mayor in the General Election, issued a press release saying, in part, that “instead of creating a law to displace the homeless, we must bring experts to the table and work with them to deal with this problem in a way that may solve the problem.”
Today there are two more reactions of note:
“Better Lives Rhode Island rejects the notion that our homeless friends and neighbors are criminals and need to be treated as such. On the contrary, they should be shown kindness and dignity,” writes Better Lives Rhode Island Executive Director Paula Hudson in a press release received this morning.
“We know that in 2020 it cost the Rhode Island taxpayers $313 a day to keep a person in minimum security prison (RI DOC), more recent data is not available.
“Why not use that money to provide our neighbors with decent shelter and the agencies advocating for them with additional funding to provide more resources? The Governor, the Mayor of Cranston, and every Mayor of every municipality in Rhode Island should be shamed for their attacks on the most vulnerable and defenseless citizens of this state.
“Being homeless is not a crime, but not caring should be!”
Meanwhile, Cranston City Councilmembers, including Council President Jessica Marino, Council Vice President Lammis Vargas, and Majority Leader John Donegan released the following:
“Democratic members of the Cranston City Council respond jointly to Executive Order: 24-3 issued by the Mayor on August 21, 2024. ‘We are disappointed that Mayor Hopkins chose to circumvent the legislative process by issuing an Executive Order that will remove those experiencing homelessness from public property. Last week we held a lengthy hearing on the Mayor's proposed ordinance, and the proposal was continued for three months - a motion that passed unanimously with bipartisan support - to allow adequate time for leadership from both parties to collaborate with the Mayor's team, local law enforcement, and social service organizations to develop a comprehensive solution that will address the issue with the compassion it deserves.’
“The councilmembers also added, ‘It is unfortunate that rather than choosing to work with the City Council the Mayor has chosen to act on his own accord. We all need to rest assured that if crimes are committed by persons, homeless or housed, the police are sworn to protect our community and enforce the laws. We value public safety and our local police department is second to none.
“‘The issue of homeless camps is nothing new to the state or our city, and local law enforcement has addressed the homeless with compassion while ensuring public safety with existing laws.’”
Hopkins never works with the Council. The meetings are on YouTube. He is the mini-me of Trump. He does as he pleases, dances around the truth, and now flourishes his pen on E.O.s. His theme song should be "My Way". During the debate (which I wouldn't call a debate), he denied that he wanted to be governor. In fact, he wanted to run for governor but that would have ruined his friendship with McKee who shows up at his fund-raisers. He claims he has a sitting council with a Democratic majority which is true. But, if one takes the time to watch the meetings or read a newspaper, the Council rarely overrides him. They didn't override him on this. They used a common sense approach - let's see if we can do this better for these people. Hopkins prefers to jump in with both feet. He removed the fine but still had any belongings removed. My guess is that didn't go to any storage as they should. These people don't have much and sending their things off to the landfill is just plain mean. These folks have so little hope and then they're pushed right back down with absolutely nothing. Once again, they have to start over. It's a never-ending cycle of no hope and no home. There's only so many times one can repeat and rinse. Disheartening, isn't it?
Arresting the homeless is akin to Middle Age debtor prisons. Cranston should be embarrassed. You're mayor is a dolt.