Cranston mayoral candidate Hopkins issues statement on Cranston readiness

CRANSTON, RI, June 2, 2020 – Cranston Councilman City Wide and Republican Mayoral Candidate Kenneth J. Hopkins has called for community calm and respect while urging Mayor Allan Fung to have the city’s public emergency response plans ready to implement.

“Over the last week we have watched other cities and states deal with moments of peaceful protests grow into senseless acts of violent and destruction,” said Hopkins.  “Collectively we thought and prayed please don’t let that happen here.”

“Now we watch our morning news to see that our neighboring capitol city has been victimized last night with unlawful acts of looting, vandalism and property damage to undeserving business owners and downtown structures,” stated Hopkins.

“I understand Cranston Police assisted in Providence last night and the Mayor had activated safety procedures for our community,” said the councilman city wide.  “I knew Mayor Fung would be on top of this situation.”

Hopkins called on the Cranston Mayor and public safety leaders to monitor our city, review and have Cranston’s emergency response plans prepared to fully implement with the priority to keep our citizens safe and protect property and businesses.

“We have tremendous law enforcement and fire emergency personnel,” said Hopkins.  “Frequent review, practice drills and execution of plans to ensure safety protocols for our city cannot be overemphasized.  Our first responders need to be observing and learning from both the good and bad of other community responses in our nation to be ready and skilled for Cranston,” Hopkins stated.  

At the same time, Hopkins declared the unwarranted attack on George Floyd by Minneapolis police “cannot be justified in any civilized society.  We have sadly stepped back in our journey of equality and justice for all Americans.  I am from a family of law enforcement members,” said Hopkins.  “My brothers learned to treat every person they encounter with respect and proper procedures under the law.” Hopkins emphasized looters and vandals must be dealt with swiftly “to discourage further needless acts of violence and injury.”

“As a career educator, I know this can be a teachable moment in our history,” said Hopkins.  “Unfortunately we have seen the most important national progress in civil rights, equal justice and a safer country follows some of our darkest days.”

“Our community needs our public, civic, religious and educational leaders to collectively work to get us through these days of stress and turmoil.  But for today it starts with insuring safe neighborhoods and the protection of our citizens,” Hopkins said.

“We cannot get back on a better community footing until passions subside and we re-commit to ensuring every citizen is treated with respect and given the same opportunities to learn, prosper and contribute in a meaningful way,” concluded the mayoral candidate.