I was emailed an invite to Anna's Taqueria tomorrow from 3-5pm, looks like they're giving out free kids meals when you buy a burrito for yourself. There's still "tickets" (they're free) left, so I thought this might help some people.

Time for a promotion!

A Rhode Island State Police trooper who was pulled over in Jamestown is facing a DUI charge.
According to a police report, Michael Bowen, 36, of East Greenwich, was driving on North Main Road late Thursday night with two flat tires at a slow rate of speed.

The Jamestown officer who pulled over the Cadillac SUV said the driver claimed to have hit something in the road on the way to Newport.

The officer reported that the driver had "bloodshot/watery eyes," slurred speech, and the smell of alcohol on his breath and that he appeared to be confused.
The officer said the driver refused a chemical test.

Jamestown police said they charged Bowen with suspicion of DUI and refusal to submit to a chemical test. He faces additional counts in the Traffic Tribunal.
Rhode Island State Police released a statement to NBC 10 News when asked if any disciplinary action was taken.
"The Rhode Island State Police holds its employees to the highest standards of conduct, both on and off duty, and takes seriously any conduct that falls short of those expectations. While we understand your request for information, this remains an open personnel matter," state police Col. Darnell Weaver said in a statement. "At the appropriate time, and consistent with the Law Enforcement Officers’ Due Process, Accountability and Transparency Act, the RISP will evaluate the facts and determine whether administrative action is warranted."

Jamestown police said Bowen is due in Newport District Court on Friday.

Gov. Dan McKee unveiled new statewide guidance for police departments that choose to install and use automated license plate readers.

The guidance includes a statewide model policy and a template Memorandum of Understanding for data sharing.

Despite the new guidance, McKee noted that the statewide pause on installing automated license plate readers will remain in effect until legislation is drafted to codify the safeguards governing the technology.

“Automated license plate readers can be a valuable tool for law enforcement, but we need to make sure they’re being used responsibly and that people’s privacy is protected,” McKee said. “That’s why I called for a pause and review.”

“We’re now taking the next step by extending that pause while we work to put stronger safeguards into state law that protect Rhode Islanders’ privacy while giving law enforcement the tools they need to keep our communities safe,” he continued.

Statewide Model Policy

The statewide model policy establishes standards for law enforcement on how to responsibly use automated license plate readers.

Specifically, the model policy contains the following:

• Privacy protections: It prohibits the use of the technology for immigration enforcement, investigations involving reproductive or gender-affirming health care, harassment, discrimination or investigations involving conduct that is not a crime under state law.
• Data retention: It requires data from automated license plate readers to be deleted within 30 days unless it’s preserved for valid law enforcement purposes.
• Transparency: It requires police departments to maintain a public transparency portal with information about the number of operational cameras, data retention, agencies with access and system usage.
• Accountability: It mandates quarterly audits, training for authorized users and documentation of searches to ensure the technology is used for valid law enforcement purposes and in compliance with the policy.
• Data sharing: It establishes restrictions on sharing information with outside agencies and requires formal agreements governing access and use of data.
• Violations: Anyone who violates the policy will be subject to administrative sanctions, up to and including termination, civil liability and criminal prosecution, as applicable.

Read the full statewide model policy below:

Statewide Model Policy

The statewide model policy was created by the Rhode Island State Police, which was asked to conduct a “comprehensive review” of how automated license plate reader systems work and best practices. The Rhode Island State Police also reviewed existing policies in the cities and towns that have been using the technology.

Memorandum of Understanding

The Memorandum of Understanding, which was also created by the Rhode Island State Police, is a facet of the statewide model policy. It is an agreement between the automated license plate reader provider and a police department that pertains specifically to the access and sharing of data collected by the cameras.

The template includes the definition of “authorized use” and clearly outlines when data can and can’t be shared with third parties.

It also specifies that data collected by the cameras is owned by the automated license plate reader provider.

“Access is granted at the sole discretion of the [provider] and may be revoked at any time with or without cause,” the template states.

The template also notes that the agreement can be terminated at any time by either the provider or police department with written notice.

Read the full Memorandum of Understanding template below:

Model MOU

Comprehensive Review

McKee first asked police departments across the state to pause the installation and activation of new automated license plate readers back in August pending the outcome of the comprehensive review.

His request stemmed from growing concerns surrounding privacy and the sharing of information collected by the automated license plate readers.

McKee is now asking municipalities that are actively using automated license plate readers to adopt the statewide model policy and use the Memorandum of Understanding template to establish clear rules for data sharing.

Rhode Island State Police Col. Darnell Weaver said the statewide model policy establishes “clear, consistent standards for how this technology should be used, how information is accessed and shared, and how agencies are held accountable.”

“We recognize the importance of maintaining public trust,” Weaver said. “Our goal is to ensure that law enforcement can use this technology effectively and responsibly.”

Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association President Col. Michael Correia, who is also the chief of the Barrington Police Department, stressed the importance of a “consistent set of standards” for cities and towns who decide to adopt the technology.

“This model policy gives police departments a strong foundation to work from, with clear guidance on protecting privacy, maintaining accountability, and ensuring that information is used and shared appropriately,” Correia said.

McKee said the model policy will be reviewed annually “to ensure the guidance remains current.”

Read the results of the comprehensive review below:

RISP Briefing Document

ACLU’s Concerns

The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island expressed frustration last week that the comprehensive review of automated license plate readers has lacked meaningful public input.

Though the ACLU acknowledged it hasn’t thoroughly analyzed the statewide model policy yet, it issued a response after its cursory review revealed some glaring fundamental concerns.

In its response, the ACLU noted that the policy’s definition of what constitutes a “valid law enforcement” purpose is too broadly worded.

“The only things these cameras cannot be used for are the handful of reasons the policy explicitly prohibits,” the ACLU explained. “Under the policy, automated license plate readers can be used for ‘information gathering,’ the ‘prevention of crime,’ and ‘ensuring the safety of the public,’ with or without cause that a crime has been committed.”

“In other words, for just about any reason,” the response continued.

The ACLU also argued that the policy allows license plate data to be routinely maintained for up to 30 days, which “ignores even Flock Safety‘s recent recognition that retention of this data for a month is far too long and unduly invasive.”

Flock Safety, a popular automated license plate reader provider, specifically changed its default time frame for data retention to seven days back in August, which the ACLU believes should be the absolute maximum.

“Any policy or law setting standards for the use of automated license plate readers should not allow the information to be kept for more than that time period,” the ACLU said.

The policy also doesn’t prevent use of the system to take photographs of drivers and their passengers, or prohibit the use of facial recognition technology, according to the ACLU.

“Despite the many misleading assertions police have given that automated license plate readers take pictures only of the rear of motor vehicles, revelations in a recent lawsuit against Cumberland show that this is simply not the case,” the ACLU said.

The ACLU said the policy’s threats against misuse are “largely meaningless,” especially since there’s currently no law that makes it a crime or establishes a civil cause of action.

“The ACLU appreciates that the pause on further automated license plate reader installations remains in effect, as well as some of the provisions in the recommended policy designed to establish some limits on their use,” the ACLU concluded. ” On the whole, however, the policy promises much less than meets the eye.”

Read the ACLU’s full response to the statewide model policy below:

ACLU Statement on Proposed ALPR Policy

I'm a 36-38/28 and I keep ordering stuff online only for it to not fit properly. Is there anywhere I can go where I can try things on?

I created a RI version of r/Bostonsocialclub. Hopefully it'll be easier to have all things social in one place

I heat my home with oil and also a 3-family rental bldg. So I track heating oil prices. It's not looking good this winter. Heating oil was $3/gallon at this time last year and is now $5.50/ gallon today. Yikes...

Does anyone know where Tilly’s chef went and if they remade the cheesesteak? I miss it.

At this point I don’t know if I’m the problem or if it’s the job market that’s screwing me over. This number isn’t even accurate because not only have I used indeed, I’ve used zip recruiter, in person job fairs, Honest Jobs & places I’ve been recommended to apply to by my college instructors 🫩. On top of that this is only since fucking SEPTEMBER, only reason I know is because I actively updated the Applied tab on indeed and I haven’t touched it since September so I can keep count of how many places I’ve applied to and I even have a note in my notes app of everywhere I’ve applied to based on day & month. I have 3 more upcoming job interviews next week and every time I go to one and get rejected due to lack of experience, which is bullshit because I don’t ever apply to something I don’t have experience in and I have experience in practically every field a 24 year old would be expected to be experienced in. From construction, landscaping, office work, fast food chains, high & and low end restaurants as a bus boy/ server, warehouse experience operating forklifts or simply being a picker/packer or unloader/loader. I’m just getting demotivated and I feel guilty for feeling this way because I’m not only job searching to help myself but to help my family & relieve my parents of the financial burdens I’ve placed on them since becoming unemployed. Truly, I don’t know how much more experience I could need because every job I’ve held has been for at least a year, unless it was a seasonal position. I’ve already went through the route of starting my own business ( Amazon FBM) but I made a mistake using multiple debit/credit cards to buy products & they ended up terminating my business account because they said they wasn’t able to verify me being the purchaser of a product I sold because the card I used to purchase said product wasn’t the card I used to pay for & sign up for my business account with them. Stupid mistake I know, I regret it everyday because it was actually working until then. Yes, I know this rant may come off as childish because im not the only person going through this but I just find it ridiculous that 16 year old me with little to no experience working was able to find a job way faster than 24 year old me with years of experience & many references who can attest to my work ethic. If anyone has any advice for a 24 year old, oldest of 4, currently in trade school and struggling like this it would be greatly appreciated,I’ll even send you my resume if you think im the problem & im open to constructive criticism towards my resume & more. This has taken a toll on my mental health cause it’s the longest I’ve been unemployed & not self sufficient since the ages 15–16 (I’ve been unemployed for nearly a year now) and it’s truly devastating to see my parents who are already not in the greatest financial position have to pick up my slack. I hate this.

Watching football,
Channel 10 WJAR ‘news’ (aka Sinclair) keeps playing these propagandized Trump commercials.
It’s pretty sickening. There is no opposing coverage. It’s all one-sided. I feel this a reflection of government takeover?

Hello… my family and I are considering New England in about two years time and would love your recommendations. We might do a scouting trip in the next 6 months and I was hoping to narrow down a few different places to check out.
Things that we prioritize:

A sense of community— a place has people from other areas of the region or country would be ideal. I’d imagine this is more in suburban and urban settings.

Relatively affordable housing as we have European salaries at the moment.

Progressive policies for children and families. School districts or counties that offer support such has free pre-k would be ideal.

I love the sun. Unfortunately there is no way I’m moving to the south. Even if it’s cold, what places have somewhat better weather.

Walkable neighborhoods would be a dream but that might be pushing our luck.

So where do you recommend?

My sister is in AUS studying abroad and applied for a mail in ballot. They said it would not arrive in time and provided her a website and a specific pin that then took her to the ballot where she is voting online.

I’m concerned this is fake. Emails and people check out, but scams are crazy these days.

Thanks!

There are many reasons why you or your partner may have difficulty apologizing to one another. For instance, you might equate apologizing with weakness and it’s widely believed that if you apologize to someone, you’re making yourself too vulnerable. Further, you might stubbornly hold onto the belief that you have nothing to apologize for – especially if your hurtful behavior or words were not intentional. Meanwhile, your partner may be suffering and you’re preventing healing and reconciliation from taking place. More... https://rinewstoday.com/new-feature-moving-past-divorce-6-effective-ways-to-apologize-to-your-partner-terry-gaspard/

If so, when?

Hello everyone, so i am looking for a job in providence rn and it’s gonna be my first ever job . I have been applying online to literally any job with just a high school diploma requirement and also retail jobs but never heard back so now i am thinking if going in person will be better because i urgently need to start working. It will be so helpful if you guys recommend me any place that can hire me fast and if it’s better to go and check in person (hopefully it won’t be too awkward to do so 😭) . Thank you in advance!

Sorry for the formatting, I’m on mobile.

I have a 2016 Honda and I’m looking for a relatively cheap but still trustworthy oil change. I’m in the Providence area but I don’t mind driving a bit further for a cheap/good oil change.

Trying to get tickets to the new Black Duck documentary but their website doesn’t seem to work. I go to the link and am greeted with the attached page, and clicking on anything on the page does nothing.

Puppy chewed the doors, not bad and just want some estimates. Thank you much!