The American Flag-themed crosswalk on Turner Avenue in East Providence.
The American Flag-themed crosswalk on Turner Avenue in East Providence was defaced, leading to a police investigation. Local resident Michael Dellefratte was accused of vandalism, but the charges were dismissed. Dellefratte claims he was falsely accused, supported by surveillance footage. The incident has raised concerns about community trust and police conduct, prompting discussions on accountability in local governance.
East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva announced on Friday that an American Flag-themed crosswalk on Turner Avenue was defaced, triggering a police investigation into the incident. The vandalism occurred ahead of the Memorial Day parade, during which the crosswalks were painted in preparation.
Initial reports allege that local resident Michael Dellefratte, age 62, deliberately spun the tires of his vehicle over the freshly painted crosswalk, resulting in tire marks. Following the accusations, Dellefratte was arrested and charged with vandalism earlier this month. However, a judge later dismissed the misdemeanor charge and expunged it from his record.
East Providence Police are currently investigating the skid marks found at the scene, which have drawn significant public interest. Mayor DaSilva made the announcement regarding the vandalism through a Facebook post, noting that the same intersection had experienced vandalism in 2024, resulting in an arrest at that time.
Dellefratte asserts that he did not deface the crosswalk and feels that he was wrongly accused. Surveillance video of the incident shows his car passing through the intersection without evidence of tire burning or smoke, lending credibility to his claims. Despite this, following his arrest, Dellefratte faced severe public backlash and personal attacks which he says led to a loss of business and social relationships.
Alongside the defamation claims, he provided evidence of receiving threatening voicemails from an unidentified caller, which included expletives and accusations of being “anti-American.” Dellefratte maintains that he supports veterans and has no prior criminal record, claiming the accusations have greatly damaged his reputation within the community.
The situation has led to questions regarding the conduct of the police investigation. A representative from the Rhode Island ACLU criticized the substantial time and resources expended on the investigation against Dellefratte, suggesting a more thorough evaluation of the evidence would have been prudent prior to his arrest. The East Providence Police Department, however, asserts that they had sufficient probable cause to pursue the charges based on the initial evidence available to them.
After the dismissal of the violation against him, Dellefratte is now preparing to file a lawsuit for defamation, claiming that the city’s actions have significantly harmed his reputation and personal well-being. The city’s spokesperson indicated that Dellefratte had agreed to contribute $200 to a veterans’ fund and draft a letter of apology. However, Dellefratte and his attorney dispute this narrative, stating there was no plea bargain involved since all charges were dismissed.
The mayor has publicly defended the police’s actions throughout the incident, maintaining his stance that no apology will be issued to Dellefratte. As the investigation continues and the community reflects on the implications of the case, the focus remains on the impact of wrongful accusations and the responsibilities of law enforcement.
This series of events highlights ongoing concerns in East Providence regarding community trust, law enforcement protocols, and the implications of public perception in the wake of allegations that lead to legal action. The case has attracted significant attention, raising important discussions about accountability and the balance of justice in local governance.
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