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2018 News Archives for the Rhode Island House of
Representatives Republican Caucus ​

Rep. Lancia Raises Alarm Over 911

2/14/2018

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STATE HOUSE -- Rep. Robert Lancia (R-Dist. 16, Cranston) is calling for immediate action after allegations of severe under staffing at the state’s 911 call center.
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Rep. Lancia received an anonymous tip claiming that the 911 office is dangerously understaffed to handle the number of calls coming in. Staffing numbers have dropped below the previous minimum level of 8 personnel with as few as 4 operators handling calls from midnight until morning.

“They’re short staffed because of all the early retirements but there’s no money in the budget to hire anyone new to replace the people who are leaving. They’ve had to put thousands of calls on hold because they just don’t have the manpower to answer them all” Rep. Lancia’s source said in a statement. “It’s dangerous and no one at the Governor’s office seems to care.”

The individual went on to say that the lack of personnel has forced the operators to leave over 13,000 calls on hold and stopped the implementation of the 911 text message system.

The concerns all stem from budgetary issues. The 911 system is funded by a charge on every Rhode Island resident’s bill for cell and landline phone services. However, this money does not go directly to the 911 budget. Instead, it is put into the Rhode Island general fund and then distributed at the discretion of the state meaning that the 911 system may be receiving a smaller amount of money than is necessary.

“This is a potential disaster in the making. If a natural disaster or terrorist attack were to strike Rhode Island the 911 system would be overwhelmed. This poor budget management is putting lives at risk all for the sake of funneling cash into government boondoggles,” stated Rep. Lancia.

In the past, Rep. Lancia has engaged in efforts to eliminate the tax on Rhode Islanders funding the 911 system. But after speaking with the employee in question he will instead advocate for a restricted receipt account for 911 funding as well as call for a study commission to find out what the actual needs of the facility are. This special account will only be funded by 911 fees and the money in it will be used solely for 911 purposes.

“I want Rhode Islanders to sleep soundly knowing that if they have an emergency there is someone on the other end of the line ready to help. These people play a vital role in our state and its time we start treating them as such.” ​

Contact Information
Ian O'Connor, House Minority Office
State House Room 106
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2259

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About rhode island house republicans


In 1636, Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, established the first working model of Democracy after being banished from Massachusetts for his “extreme views” concerning freedom of speech and religion. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams publicly acknowledged Williams as the originator of these concepts, along with the freedom of public assembly, in the First Amendment in the United States Constitution. Today, Rhode Island House Republicans uphold the liberties designed by our Founders and preserved in our Constitution, and are the primary legislative body promoting lean government, fighting for lower taxes, and advocating for initiatives and policies that improve the economy and in turn, the lives of Rhode Islanders.  As members of a part-time assembly, we are small business owners, retired educators, community activists, lawyers, farmers, military service veterans, volunteers, former local officials, retired social workers, coaches, musicians, churchgoers and board directors -- bringing these community engagement and professional experiences to our work, on your behalf, at the Rhode Island State House.

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