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Providence residents raise concern over trash outside of Cranston Street Armory


Dexter Park in Providence, Rhode Island. (WJAR){ }
Dexter Park in Providence, Rhode Island. (WJAR)
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Providence residents are raising red flags when it comes to the warming center at the Cranston Street Armory.

Neighbors said, "trash, debris, nips, nip caps, needles, needle caps" are filling the park next to the armory now that the space is being used as an emergency warming center.

"It's gone from the center of the neighborhood to the part that you have to avoid because it's unsafe," said Dylan Conley, who lives down the block from the armory. "The park shifted from a place for families to the location of the drug crisis. We see people strewn about in the park unconscious on a somewhat regular basis."

Conley is the Chair of the Providence Board of Licenses.

He said he was initially in support of the emergency warming shelter when it opened in December.

"We wanted to do our part," he said. "We didn't understand that what they were asking us to do was to completely give up our park to the drug crisis. They're qualitatively different."

A representative for Amos House, the nonprofit running the shelter, said they are working hard to keep the park safe and clean. They sent NBC 10 the following statement:

"We are working hard to keep the Dexter park clean. The State has added a cleaning contract that will be cleaning twice a day/7 days a week and they started on Friday. I am sorry that the neighbors are concerned," CEO Eileen Hayes said. "I recognize that there may be men and women in the park when the weather is nice but we are doing the best we can to keep order and keep the park clean. I am working closely with the National Guard to patrol the park area throughout the day but as you know, the park is a public space for all to enjoy."

Representatives for Mayor Brett Smiley's office sent a statement Tuesday.

"While this is a state-run facility, the City's Police, EMS, DPW and Parks departments have been working hard to provide additional resources to address these issues, particularly when they are in the public park. We have had clear conversations with the State acknowledging that the Cranston Street Armory is not a long-term solution for individuals experiencing homelessness and the dramatic increase we've seen in calls to the area," the statement said.

The Providence City Council held a meeting last week to discuss the future of the space. In a statement, they said all parties plan to fully phase out the warming shelter at the Armory in April.

The state Housing Department sent NBC 10 the following statement:

"We were grateful for the initial meeting last week with West Broadway Neighborhood Association representatives and elected leaders. The input was helpful and the conversation was constructive. Speaking specifically to the issue of trash in Dexter Training Ground Park, which is next to the Armory, the state has recently entered into a contract to provide for regular trash cleanup."

Philadelphia-based company Scout is set to redevelop the space after everyone clears out.

"I don't trust them, they don't have a plan," Conley said. "It's a crisis. And until I actually see a commitment that makes sense. I fear that they're going to maintain the status quo because they've failed to figure out what else to do."

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