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Cranston comes together on solutions to necessary “nuisance” of police gun range
Approximately a dozen residents spoke at the special meeting of the Cranston City Council last night about the disruptive noise from the firearm training at the Cranston Police Training Academy on Phenix Avenue, across from Cranston West High School.
Neighbors gave 4-minute testimony and in some cases played audio from the cell phones into the microphone so the councilors could hear it. Testimony was firm and passionate, and respectful. One gentleman said he had visited other shooting ranges that were soundproofed and you could hear nothing in the neighborhood.
After the testimony, with none wanting to speak over ZOOM, Major Patalano of the Cranston Police Department spoke and reiterated that he has had no complaints from schools and a principal has said that the presence of the police in close proximity to the schools is actually making it safer for the children and any response necessary would be immediate. The department has officers in the schools and the major wanted the community to know their schools are safe.
Patalano went on to explain the history of the Training facility. He said they do not use automatic weapons or shotguns; they use Glock pistols and AR-15s. They want their officers, and all officers to be highly trained. State law requires 153 Cranston officers to be certified and recertified. He said that shooting times are posted which indicate that officers do train at night – however, the posting on the website lists shooting ends at 4:30pm each day. (That was disputed by residents who had taped shooting happening just before the meeting convened at 6pm). The FBI no longer uses the range. East Providence, Johnston and Smithfield use the facility ONE week a year. The RI Municipal Police Academy uses it for 2 weeks a year. The officer denies shooting happens on the weekend. Several members in the audience said that wasn’t true.
A sound proofing company has been quoting approx. $400K to install baffles. But it was felt that really wouldn’t take care of the problem. A sound test was done by police, also, just before the meeting in the neighborhood and sounds of the AR15 came in at 53, and there is a 55 decibel sound limit.
Moving Forward
Two grants submitted by the City are currently pending – $1.6M will enclose the facility. They were submitted in April, and they hope they will get the grants.
Major Patalano said “they are sympathetic but have no place to move the training right now. No place can handle 153 officers with no notice. It has to stay open for now – no other options. – These things don’t happen over night – it’s the best we can do right now”
Anthony Moretti spoke from the administration. Mayor hears the concerns and fundamentally agrees with valid concerns. “Things come down to money sometimes.” He listed four options: Leave range as is. Close range down. Move range. Enclose the range. Possibility of a sound curtain was considered, but it won’t work due to the quarry on one side. We have to be practical and prudent. We can’t just push a button and get it done. We’re hopeful we can get the funds – either federal or local. Right now there is no authorization or funds and neither the Mayor nor the Council has authority to work on it. Mayor promises closing in the range will be in the next budget cycle. “It’s beyond a nuisance, it’s nerve wracking. He does support the police department.” There is also the possibility of a ballot referendum.
The City Council members spoke. Council chair Paplauskas says he is aware and his wife hears it from working at home. He went to the enclosed Coventry shooting range and sat in the parking lot and could not hear anything – he believes enclosing it is the answer.
Councilwoman Marino said she is aware of the range, it is at the right location, and that it needs to be enclosed. She is comforted by the fact that the police are so close to the schools, for safety. She sympathizes with the residents as weapons training has changed over the years.
Councilwoman Germain spoke. Noise pollution impacts our quality of life. Issue can’t be resolved right now. But this is a good step for a resolve – we need to keep pushing. We cross our fingers that we can get these grants. She brought up the possibility of collaborating with other departments when there is high capacity training needed.
Councilman Ferri said closing it in could take 2 years, but we have to do something to help these people. Ferri lives in Meshanticut and listens to the noise as well. Questions what can be done now to help provide some immediate relief.
Councilman Donegan said he doesn’t think this is conducive to children in school. We have to get something done now while the long term solution is being looked into.
Councilwoman Renzulli, who chaired the meeting, said she appreciated the research to close in the range – also noted it could take 2 years – but she asked the question that if we had the money, literally tomorrow, how long would it take to build. Moretti said his opinion would be it would take 12-15 months from beginning to end with design, bidding, construction. This would be to enclose the structure. Renzulli went on to ask if the auditor could look into ARPA funding to be used. The auditor said he believes it could fall under those allowances.
Councilman Reilly commended police department for their effort to work with community on solutions.
Councilwoman Renzulli sent us this statement after the meeting: “Cranston’s shooting range has been in place since the 1950’s. Increased usage and modern firearms have increased the levels of noise from the range over the years, which many residents say is impacting their quality of life. Inviting residents before the Safety Services Committee to voice their complaints was a small step in searching for a solution that supports the excellent training needed for our police officers, but maintains quality of life for the surrounding area. I am pleased that the Mayor’s administration has worked with police leadership to research the cost and feasibility of enclosing the Cranston Police Department’s shooting range, to reduce noise in the surrounding neighborhood. Mayor Hopkins is committed to creating a better balance here and as Safety Services Chairwoman, I am committed to working with his administration, our police leadership, and my council colleagues to find funding and see this through for the neighboring residents. It won’t happen overnight, but together, I believe we can solve this problem.”
Summary
In summary, closing in the Training facility is agreed to – finding the funding and doing the work quickly are the problems. Going the Federal/state grant money route, from beginning to end would take about 2 years. If ARPA funds can be used that time could be cut in half. In the meantime, working with police departments to mitigate the noise as best they can for now, including combining times, and creating other solutions was brought forward.
WPRO earlier in the day
The meeting followed discussion of the issue on the Gene Valicenti show when he played the audio of the gunshot sounds in the neighborhood and callers and texters flooded the lines. Chief Winquist of the Cranston Police was interviewed – here is a link to that interview – click on the link below the photo:
https://omny.fm/shows/the-news-with-gene-valicenti/09-12-22-cranston-police-department-chief-michael
Editor’s Note: The meeting was a refreshing example of a community coming together to address a problem with compromise, respect, and hope that it would be a priority going forward.
To view the meeting – with the Training Academy starting at 1:11:32 – go here:
RINewsToday story on gun range problem here: