The DePasquale Fountain in the heart of Federal Hill
From Robert Whitcomb’s “Digital Diary,’’ in GoLocal24.com
All too often we read about Providence nightclubs drawing criminals, including psychopaths, from around the region. Thus it was with two crooks with a history of violence, Jaquontee Reels, 24, and his brother Sequoya Reels, 27, are charged with the fatal stabbing and beating, following a verbal exchange, of Stephen Cabral, 28, after Mr. Cabral left Club Seven, on Federal Hill, at around 2 a.m. on June 30. The brothers are from Ledyard, Conn.
What would help block such violence, besides a more visible police presence? Move back bar and nightclub closing times to 1 a.m., or even 12:30, from 2 a.m. Yes, it will hurt the finances of some establishments, but not as much as Providence worsening its reputation (however fair when compared to other cities) as a dangerous place at night The later the closing time of places with liquor licenses, the more likelihood of violent crime in and around them.
