LaCross, supporters take issue with judge’s comments
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LaCross Fights Back
Barrington's police chief is fighting back over a judge's comments about teen drinking in his town.
NBC 10
Supporters of Barrington Police Chief John LaCross and his department join together to criticize comments made by Superior Court Judge Daniel Procaccini.
Published: July 23, 2009
Updated: July 23, 2009
SMITHFIELD, R.I.—Supporters of Barrington Police Chief John LaCross and his department joined together Thursday in Smithfield to criticize comments made by Superior Court Judge Daniel Procaccini.
At the Wednesday sentencing of Ryan Greenberg, who hit and killed his friend with a boat on the Barrington River two years ago, Procaccini said the department has been selectively enforcing teen drinking laws, and lacked diligence.
“Unfortunately (Greenberg) grew up in a community where enforcement of the law against certain minors is illusory,“ the judge said.
LaCross said he was insulted by the judge’s comments.
“I don’t want to make this a public debate. The judge is entitled to his opinion. He sees things a certain way,“ he said. “I was frustrated. I don’t know how he sees that. I think we’ve done a pretty good job of being out there and enforcing the law.“
LaCross’s supporters, which included Thursday Mothers Against Drunk Driving, representatives from several police departments and Rhode Island State Police took offense too.
“We come here (Thursday) to denounce what was said from the bench. We think it’s unfair. We think it’s misguided and uninformed,“ said Steven Pare, chairman of MADD Rhode Island. “If the judge knew what the Barrington Police Department has been trying to do for the past eight years, perhaps his comments wouldn’t be what they were (Wednesday).“
LaCross said there’s zero tolerance for underage drinking in Barrington. He said anyone caught will be charged, and that teen drinking problems are not in Barrington but everywhere.
LaCross’s colleagues said he’s really worked to change the culture in Barrington, and has been out front of a number of high-profile issues surrounding teen drinking.
“There hasn’t been anyone since I’ve been a member of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association that has addressed underage drinking more than Chief John LaCross,“ said George Kelley of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association.
A statement from a court spokesperson said, “Because of provisions in the Code of Judicial Conduct, Judge Procaccini feels it would be inappropriate to expand upon the sentencing remarks he made in open court and on the public record. As the judge stated on the record Wednesday, all facts and circumstances to which he referred in sentencing Ryan Greenberg were contained in the reports provided to the court by the Department of the Attorney General and the defendant.“
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Reader Reactions
Why has it become the public and polices chore to watch everyones kids and parent them - then when the cops do that the parents cry foul?????
The judge was out of line John LaCrosse in a wonderful man and is doing a great job in an area where parents don’t want to take responsibility for their own kids! Sad when tax payers money has to go toward something our parents did when I was a kid!
I’ve lived in Barrington for more than 26 years and had moved into town with a then 9 year old. The issue of tolerance for these behaviors had long been a serious concern to me having had my first interaction with police concerning this issue in 1987. Since John LaCross has taken the reigns, I’ve seen more positive movement in this area than in the many years before his tenure. Culture change does not happen overnight…and, yes, the culture in our town has for too long been one of tolerance and privilege for some individuals. Having raised 5 children in this town over the last 26 years, we have seen dramatic improvement in the work of our police force in changing the culture to one of safety and enforcement. Chief LaCross and members of our police force…keep up your good work! Eventually, we’ll get there! As the saying goes…no good deed goes unpunished!
I went to high school with John LaCrosse and there couldn’t be a finer guy and better police chief. He has stood tall on this issue more so than most other town officials. I would think he has done more to combat this issue than any other city or town in RI. shame on this judge to denigrate those efforts with such callous remarks. What an a$$. Keep up the good fight John!
Even 50% of the judges graduated in the lower half of their class.
Bottom line…Chief LaCross and his department have done their job and done it well.
The support meeting held in Smithfield says it all.
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