Volume 93/Issue v
THE
September 30th, 2019
ANCHOR
Rhode Island College’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1928
Patrolling RIC Night Out Jessica Martineau Asst. Layout Editor Confused as to why there were horses, free food, therapy dogs and a rotating car on the quad this past Tuesday evening? You weren’t alone. These bizarre sights and activities were brought to Rhode Island College’s campus as part of a “RIC Night Out” event, hosted by campus police with the intention of strengthening the relationship between officers and members of the RIC community.
Representatives from the North Providence and Cranston Police Departments, Rhode Island State Police and Rhode Island Army National Guard were volunteering and facilitating demonstrations and activities on the quad. Cranston PD brought their K-9 therapy team, trained to support to a person who experiences trauma. North Providence PD had their motorcycle unit present along with their mounted [horseback] unit. A rock-climbing wall, dunk tank, rollover simulator, del’s
Photo by Jessica Martineau
lemonade and catered food from Donovan Dining Center. When asked about the purpose of the event Chief Mendonca said, “seeing us dressed casually and in a different environment makes it easier for us to have a conversation. What we are trying to do is build trust and communication between the police and students in order to work together as one community instead of isolated groups. I think communication can always be improved and that perceptions can be changed. I think the community needs to know that we are here for them. The
campus police are a part of the educational process too.” Mendonca and the campus police are working to build an open line of communication and trust between students and law enforcement. “I want everyone to feel safe on campus because that will make people have one less thing to worry about. Everyone has to concentrate on so many other things. A lot of students here are commuter students; they have homework they have to do, jobs and family commitments. RIC students would have one less stressor in their lives by feeling like they are safe on campus.”
Photos by Thomas Crudale
A legal battle of the vapes reaches New England Samantha Scetta Editor-in-Chief Governors of Massachusetts and Rhode Island have almost simultaneously decided to control and regulate the sales of vape products in their respective New England states. Gov. Charlie Baker of our neighboring state issued a four-month long ban on all vaporizing products last Tuesday, including but not limited to vape cartridges, the infamous Juul products and the lesser known SOL vapor products.
Gov. Gina Raimondo issued a similar order, halting the sales of all flavored e-cigarette products. Last Thursday Raimondo signed an order directly to the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) to enact emergency rules and regulations regarding the sale of flavored e-cigarettes in a response to the recent nation-wide spike in vape related illnesses such as seizures and lung disease. Why only ban the flavored products? Well, the answer is simple. Many reputable scientific studies and legal an-
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alyst surveyists have determined that by making flavors such as “strawberry milk”
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Photo by Abigail Nilsson and “cappuccino”, Juul is directly targeting a younger population, hooking them on
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nicotine by the use of friendly and interesting flavors. As of yet, there has been no official legal action taken against e-cigarette companies directly regarding vape related illnesses. Raimondo claims that vaping has become a public health crisis, and she has gathered from parents, teachers, coaches and her own personal experience as a mother that it is a rising problem among RI youth. Continued on page 6; See “New England vape battle”
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