Show Cause Hearing January 23rd to Shut Down Rumford Motel

Citing a police report that said, “between the years 2013-2023, there have been over 2,000 calls for service at the Inn and some 300 arrests,” the East Providence City Council has scheduled a show cause hearing to revoke the license of the Rumford Motor Inn on Newport Avenue. At its December 19, 2023, meeting, council President Bob Rodericks told the council that he is recommending a “show cause” hearing on the troubled Rumford motel for January 23, 2024. “I will schedule a show cause hearing on January 23, 2024, on the Rumford Motel. As we’ve all said, this is a problem for all of us in East Providence, but I’ll defer to Ward One councilman Rego for his thoughts. We have compiled information from the police department and solicitor’s office and I’d like to schedule this hearing (for January 23rd). This should give all the parties involved enough time to prepare and get ready for the hearing,” said Rodericks.

“I’d like to thank our solicitor for providing details today (police reports, etc.) and I will go along with that second meeting in January for a hearing,” added councilman Frank Rego. “This will give enough time for the city and the owner of the property to put together the information needed."

City solicitor Michael Marcello told the council that he has the necessary reports from the police department to proceed. “We are all set to go ahead,” added Marcello. The city had previously received a report from Police Chief Christopher Francesconi detailing years of service calls to the motel and many arrests. Area neighbors have reported break-ins in the area to cars and homes and “strangers” roaming through city streets. Police started receiving calls on November 12th that residents in Rumford were reporting thefts and car break-ins. A police investigation led them to a Nelson Wilson who was staying at the motel. Various missing items like jewelry, computers, clothing, purses, credit cards, etc., were found in his room. The police believe Wilson broke into area garages and numerous cars, some of which were unlocked. Wilson was arrested on several charges, including tampering with at least one car, larceny and a felony weapons charge, cocaine possession and was sent to the ACI as a parole violator.

On November 21st, Police Captain Michael Rapoza gave a report to the council in which he gave several ominous facts that were troubling. In his report, Rapoza stated that some of the incidents calling for police responses to the motel included but were not limited to: “assault, assist fire/rescue, wellbeing checks, disturbance (domestic, verbal, physical, etc.), follow up investigations, intoxicated persons, loud noise complaints, motor vehicle stops, psychological problem/suicidal, sex offenses, suspicious person/vehicle and warrant services.”

Mayor Bob DaSilva met with the motel owner after the latest arrest and gave him an ultimatum to bring back a plan to change the use of the property to an acceptable one to the city and neighborhood. The owner was given three weeks to come up with a plan. Although a sign on the property appeared on December 30^th showing the motel is listed for sale, a specific plan response from the motel ownership is not specifically known as of now. In the meantime, the City Council is moving ahead with a public show-cause hearing for possible license revocation on January 23, 2024.

Police: 2023 recent Arrests and Investigations Associated with the motel

• After a verbal disturbance in a neighboring community, a suspect drove to the RMI and fired several rounds into the building.
• Several suspects wanted in large precious metal theft rings in the city and surrounding communities were staying at the RMI.
• 48 separate investigations by the Special Investigations Unit (Narcotics Division) at this address.
• Numerous documented violent gang members frequent the location. An overwhelming majority of these gang members have previous narcotics trafficking and firearms related arrests.
• Countless RMI individuals walking into surrounding residential neighborhood and local business parking lots to meet with narcotics dealers.
• Narcotics dealers have traveled from Providence, Fall River, Boston, and New York to deliver narcotics.
• Alarming increase in crystal methamphetamine users and sales.
• Well known location for prostitution and human trafficking through online websites.
• Recent increases of motor vehicle thefts in the Rumford section of the city had ties to individuals renting rooms at RMI.
• Two armed robbery suspects staying at the Rumford Motor Inn (RMI) violently robbed a local business owner making a cash deposit at a Newport Avenue bank.
• Police Chief Francesconi and Captain Rapoza told the council that the Rumford motel area has become “known to the illegal drug community” where one can stay cheaply and have access to narcotics.”

Rodericks said that the show cause hearing will begin at 6:00 pm in the City Council chambers and will allow for public comment. The hearing will be part of the regular City Council meeting. All members agreed that the hearing must be fair with due process to the motel owners. “Let’s do this correctly with due process and seek a permanent solution. Too many hasty decisions in the past have prevented real solutions to similar problems. We will get this done, but it must be done the right way,” Rodericks added.