Mayor Brett Smiley

Providence’s cultural celebrations showcase the traditions, creativity and diversity that make our city so special. In my latest newsletter, I’m highlighting the festivals bringing neighbors together this summer and fall, our new Cultural Investment Fund and the return of @PVDFest on September 18 and 19. Read the full newsletter to learn more about how we’re investing in the people, cultures and traditions that make the @CityofProv the Creative Capital: icont.ac/51kdq

Representing the Friars! Thank you @pvdmayor for inviting us to be part of the FIFA World Cup Watch Party It was an incredible opportunity to celebrate the game connect with our community & experience the excitement of the world’s biggest stage together Go Friars! 🖤🤍

ALERT: Due to anticipated heavy rain & the potential for localized flooding this afternoon, the PVD FanZone will now be opening at 5PM today for the bronze final game between France and England. We encourage all attendees to plan accordingly & monitor local weather conditions.

Providence is home to so many different cultural festivals, each celebrating the rich diversity of our communities. That's why I'm proud that this year, we've introduced a new Cultural Festivals Fund - a fund designed to ensure that every community has the resources and opportunities to showcase their culture and traditions. Summer cultural festivals like the Puerto Rican Bay Fest (Sunday, 7/19), Liberian Independence Day (Sunday, 7/19), the Dominican Festival and Parade (Sunday, 8/9), and the Guatemalan Festival (Sunday, 9/13) are just some of the great ways to celebrate, leading up to PVD Fest happening in September. ➡️Keep watching for the Spanish Translation of this video.

Today, I signed an executive order that protects all Providence voters and establishes clear rules for how every City department must respond to election-related requests from the federal government with the "Protecting Voter Rights and Election Integrity" order. Providence will not let anyone, including the Trump Administration get in between us and our voters rights. Under this executive order, the following actions will take place: ➡️No City employee may independently respond to, interpret or negotiate a federal request involving our elections or voter information. ➡️Before any records are released or City assistance is provided, the City Solicitor must determine whether the federal government has the legal authority to make that request. ➡️We are establishing an election hotline so residents can quickly report voter intimidation, harassment or immigration enforcement activity at a polling place. ➡️We are assigning legal support to every polling place and strengthening guidance for responding to federal immigration enforcement near voting locations. ➡️Electioneering boundaries will be clearly marked.  ➡️We are protecting accessible routes into polling places.  ➡️Providence Police will be stationed at every polling place to protect public safety. We will ensure that every eligible Providence voter can make their voice heard in the polling booth.

Four Providence parks undergo renovations with children in mind providencejournal.com/story/news/loc…

Providence families struggling to pay their rent cannot wait until September for relief - they deserve help now. I'm disappointed that the City Council has stalled contract approval to launch the RENT Fund, especially when this fund was something promised to residents who need this assistance and many have already reached out seeking help. My administration has completed the work necessary to launch the program, including a public procurement process to select a trusted community partner as the program administrator. I urge the City Council to approve the contract before their summer recess so families struggling can receive the help they need now - every day of delay puts assistance further out of reach and increases the risk of eviction and displacement for families who need the help now.

📢ATTN Providence Residents: Due to poor air quality, our water parks + community pools will be closing today at 5:00 pm. They will reopen tomorrow at 12:00 pm and stay open until 5:00 pm.

I am heartbroken following last night’s homicide. My thoughts are with the family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. Providence Police detectives are actively investigating, and I urge anyone with information to contact the department. Violence has no place in Providence, and we remain committed to keeping every neighbor and neighborhood safe.

I'm horrified to hear about another senseless and tragic loss of life as a result of reckless actions by ICE agents. Providence mourns the loss of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero and our hearts are with the community of Biddeford, Maine and his family and friends at this time. Providence is a safe and welcoming community for all, regardless of immigration status, and stands firmly with our neighbors at a time when the Trump administration continues to divide us and spread fear into our communities.

Providence - we're in for another few days of high heat in the City. Cool down by checking out our water parks and community pools across the City with new extended hours until 7 pm tonight and tomorrow. Make sure to check in on your neighbors, friends and kids to ensure everyone is safe during this heat wave + by checking out our extreme heat tips. For more information on how to stay cool these next few days, check out: providenceri.gov/pema

📣ATTN: Providence residents - crews are addressing a water main break on Cranston Street and Dexter Street. Please avoid the area until further notice so crews can work on solving this issue.

This past weekend, 90 youth football helmets were stolen from the Providence Parks storage facility. I'm thrilled to announce that in working to replace these helmets, we've been able to secure private donations from members of our community to cover the cost of the helmets and more. Tonight we presented the team with the donations and in a few days they’ll have their new helmets. We're thankful for this collaboration with Terrence Moran and Joe Paolino  who decided to step up for our youth.

Today we announced the arrest of four individuals associated with the shooting that occurred on Monday, July 6. We are incredibly thankful to the dedicated officers & all of our partners who have helped bring those accountable for Monday’s shooting to justice.

We're taking action to make Providence's parks and neighborhoods safer this summer. Illegal ATVs, reckless driving and disruptive gatherings have no place in our parks or neighborhoods. That's why we're expanding enforcement efforts, increasing patrols in Roger Williams Park and continuing the work to improve safety and quality of life across our city. Read my latest newsletter to learn more about the steps we're taking and what these efforts mean for Providence. Read more: icont.ac/51jV7

This week is National Summer Learning Week, a reminder that learning doesn't stop when the school year ends. Here in Providence, we're proud to help our students stay engaged all summer long through enriching learning opportunities, free nutritious meals and fun recreation programs that keep kids active, healthy and ready for the school year ahead. Whether you're looking for summer learning programs, free community meals, camps, parks, playground activities or more, there's something for every Providence family. Learn more about everything happening this summer at epl.providenceri.gov

More than 300 illegal ATVs and dirt bikes have been seized since I took office. Today, I joined Chief Perez to highlight the work of the Providence Police Department’s Neighborhood Response Team and the progress we’re making to address illegal ATV activity, reckless driving, pop-up parties and quality-of-life concerns across our city. We’re also working with our Parks Department to help protect Roger Williams Park from late-night takeovers and illegal activity, while keeping it safe and welcoming for families, neighbors and visitors. I’ll continue listening to residents and working with our public safety partners to make sure every neighborhood in Providence feels safe.

Happy Independence Day, Providence! 🇺🇸 This Fourth of July, as we celebrate 250 years of our nation's independence, we honor the generations who fought for our freedoms and the responsibility we all share to build a brighter future. Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and joyful Independence Day.

Due to the extreme heat this week, we're proud to partner with the Providence Children's museum as a cooling station for Providence families and neighbors for free this weekend. Stop by to enjoy the air conditioning, see what fun activities and exhibitions the museum has going on and beat the heat! The museum will be open 9:30 am - 4:30 pm on Thursday 7/2, Friday 7/3, and Sunday 7/5 but will be closed on Saturday 7/4 due to the holiday. Additionally the Roger Williams Park Zoo will be free for admission on Thursday 7/2 and Friday 7/3 with water play, misting stations and indoor exhibits. Saturday 7/4 is the first Saturday of the month and free to all Providence residents with proof of residency.

ATTN: Providence Neighbors - there is no trash pickup on Monday, July 6 due to the holiday. Trash will be picked up July 7 - July 11.