Providence Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach
Providence Mayor Angel Taveras talks to Debra Martin and Mike Reilly, parents of homicide victim Mike Martin, after a Providence Police news conference in August on the triple homicide at 151 General St. in Providence.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Just as he asked everyone to sacrifice so Providence can erase its $110-million deficit, Mayor Angel Taveras wants all to help him reduce the city's crime.
Faith leaders are joining forces to rescue troubled youth and counsel those getting out of prison. And neighborhood crime watches are up from 5 to 15 during his administration.
"Everyone has a role to play," Taveras said recently. "If people are involved, I think you'll see the result of lower crime and a better standard of living overall. ... We can't do it alone."
There have been more than 900 violent crimes reported through September, including 15 homicides, 113 rapes and more than 300 robberies.
The mayor's responses are diverse and numerous -- a gun tip line, more officers around crime hot spots, more jobs for youth to keep them out of trouble and more involvement by police and other city officials with the parole board so repeat offenders aren't released.
Crime watches are proven successes, Taveras said, and he hopes to have one in each of Providence's more than two dozen neighborhoods. His administration is acting as a clearinghouse for interested residents.
Residents interested in forming or joining a crime watch can call the mayor's office at (401) 421-2489.
On Twitter @AlishaPina