State Police Called In To Help Enforce Block Island Moped Safety

NEW SHOREHAM, RI – Troopers from the Rhode Island State Police will be assigned to Block Island beginning this weekend as local officials work to curb the number of moped accidents that have resulted in two fatalities since Aug. 9.

At the resumption of an emergency meeting that began Sunday night, councilors determined that measures - including possibly banning mopeds on the island - must be taken to cut down on moped accidents on the island. The council convened twice in two days after a 22-year-old Cranston man was killed Saturday when his moped collided head-on with an SUV.

In a meeting shown on the council’s YouTube channel Monday night, Second Ward Councilman Andre Boudreau described the enforcement of traffic and alcohol laws as being “zero tolerance…through the end of the summer both for island visitors and for residents alike to create “a level playing field across the board.”

Boudreau, who said during Monday's meeting that he favors banning mopeds on the island, said bringing in the states police may just be the first step.

“(Troopers) be on the roads, they know where the hotspots are,” Boudreau said.

State Police Superintendent Col. James M. Manni will join “a very large contingent” of state troopers on the island in an effort to “clean up our roads,” Boudreau said at Monday’s meeting. Town officials said that the state police has secured a grant to cover the costs of the troopers’ efforts to curtail further accidents from occurring.

“We are working on several fronts on this,” First Ward Councilman Ken Lacoste said during Monday’s meeting, who spoke to Manni on Monday and described him as a frequent visitor and "friend to the island."

The Town Council will also meet Wednesday to further discuss the issue.

Cranston resident Corey Sanville, 22, was killed on Saturday when his moped collided with an SUV. Both Sanville and his passenger were wearing helmets at the time of the accident. According to Sanville’s aunt, Kimberly Giarusso, Sanville’s family is seeking stricter enforcement in who is allow to rent mopeds on the island.

A petition on change.org has been started by Sanville’s family and as of Tuesday morning, had garnered more than 3,100 signatures. According to the site, the petition seeks to create tighter restrictions about moped rentals on Block Island as well as moped rentals in general.

“We have already lost too many people and the industry needs to be held accountable, especially the rental agencies on Block Island,” the petition reads.

Lacoste said that the council has heard from owners of moped rental agencies on the island and expects there may be some changes in who is allowed to rent mopeds moving forward. He said rental agencies may change the hours during which mopeds may be rented.

Police chief Vincent Carlone said during the meeting that the issue is two-pronged. While additional enforcement is needed, Carlone said that there have been be assurances in place that moped riders are adequately trained before they are allowed to rent vehicles.

Boudreau indicated there are “a couple” of councilors who favor banning mopeds on the island until further safety restrictions are put into place, but that until a vote on such a measure can take place, councilors must work within the confines of the law to deal with the issue.

“We’re hoping that this weekend with the police presence on the roads is going to seriously curtail these issues we can only hope,” Boudreau said.