Narragansett, Rhode Island, February 8, 2011 — The Narragansett Town Council adopted a resolution at its meeting on February 7, 2011, formally opposing the proposed “Rogue Island” jitney service for URI students and bars located in Narragansett.
“The Town Council expressed concerns that the transportation service will only encourage more issues with alcohol consumption in town by college students as well as create more calls for service for the Police Department,” said Town Manager Grady Miller. “The Council also believes that the jitney service violates the ban on pub crawls under Rhode Island law since no other business is served by the jitney other than alcohol serving establishments,” explained Miller.
The town learned on January 14, 2011, that an administrative order had been issued by the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers allowing the licensing of a jitney service that would transport students from the University of Rhode Island to bars in Narragansett. The proposed service will utilize two fifteen passenger vans to transport students from 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The service will transport students between Charlie O’s, Hammer Head Grill (Bon Vue), and the Coast Guard House. The collective opinion of those opposed to the service is that the jitney service will cause issues with underage drinking, crowd control, and negative impacts to the neighborhoods adjacent to the bars.
The Town of Narragansett, Town of South Kingstown, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett Prevention Partnership, and South Kingstown Prevention Partnership actively opposed the transportation service at the public hearing held on January 4, 2011. Deputy Police Chief Driscoll testified at the public hearing in opposition of the proposal as well as a Police Lieutenant Horoho from South Kingstown and Dr. Jason Pina, Director of Student Affairs at URI. Letters opposing the proposed transportation service came from Narragansett Town Manager Grady Miller, South Kingstown Town Manager Stephen Alfred, Nancy Devaney from the Narragansett Prevention Partnership, and South Kingstown Prevention Partnership.
On February 7, 2011, the Town Council also directed the town solicitor to take appropriate action for the town to either join an appeal with URI or file a separate appeal. An appeal would need to be filed in superior court by February 13, 2011. For more information about this matter, please contact Town Manager Grady Miller at 401-782-0652.