I still cannot conceptualize the rationale that those cowardly losers used to viciously attack an innocent citizen outside of his home in front of his wife and two very young children. Envision the scenario - 2 a.m., a car is on the street in front of your house with the music thumping and pumping, you wait for it to move on, it doesn't, you walk outside and politely ask them to leave and for that you end up in the emergency room because you have been, quite literally, stomped and beaten unconscious by multiple attackers . . . W T F?

So is it right to presume they caught these thugs? And if there is no threat to others Is it also right to presume these thugs are behind bars? It is rather odd that when this attack happened the patch had a article that was up for a few hours and then you couldn't get it. If the reporting on these attacks was a little more clear maybe citizens wouldn't be speculating on what occured. I can't disagree more ONE attack is too many, and these thugs better watch it because they may just run across the wrong citizen that is more than willing to protect themselves with any force neccesary.

Quite honestly the city manager is full of it. Tell me if there isn't gang activity, why aren't students allowed to have a red bandana anywhere on there body? Does somebody just not like red bandanas? I think not! Also, I have first hand knowledge of a teenage boy in Newport who was mugged, beat up and held at gunpoint a few blocks from his home by 3 individuals. The police never got them even though they tried there best. Furthermore, it is well known that there are many handguns being carried by dirtbag punks though out Newport. The city manager is living in fantasyland. Wake up...Newport it not as safe as she pretends it is.

very true Jim, typical city BS only thing this city does good is lie to the citizens

What the City Manager said is a flat out lie! She states that there was ONE assault that triggered this?!! I know of two more; the police interviewed me regarding one suspect. He was arrested once, was released, assaulted another, but no charges were filed, so this guy is on the streets of Newport! The police are called and discourage reports and charges being filed. Once there is an arrest, it ends up in the paper and a statistic in the system. No report, no arrest= no crime!!! She needs to be FIRED NOW!!!!!

Perhaps we should organize a boycott of Newport until its citizens and guests are safe. That may wake up our elected and appointed officials!!

There is clearly a problem in Newport at the moment and its true that if they don't make a better effort that it will impact the economy....tourists don't travel to areas where there is high crime...but pretending that it doesn't exist isn't going to help matters. Let's give the police more to work with - get the community involved - and work to make Newport a safer place. It may have taken one incident to get more people out and involved, but anyone who attended the Police Assembly last week can attest to the fact that this is about more than one incident.

Well well here we go! All boils down to what I have been saying for years. Parents do not have the control over their own children. Society has done this. The teenagers and even pre teens are not worried about the consequences. Years ago you would worry about what would happen when your parents found out. Not anymore. This "child abuse" situation is out of control. Let the parents have the responsibility of raising a child without social services getting involved. Stop teaching your children in school call this number if you "feel" you are being abused. There is a big difference between abuse and discipline!!!! These youngsters are rude and have no fear. Go back to the good ole days. You do something wrong--you pay the piper!!!

I have high respect for social media such as Knowing Newport. Our leader, Mike Cullen has requested Newport City participation in the blog and in two of his other establishments, Newport Ready and Code Red. Middletown has joined and participated, why hasn't Newport?
There are dangerous parts of Newport, areas where tourists should not venture. Saying that they don't exist does nothing to rid Newport of noise/nuisance/violence. I know that in my "safe" area, there was a knifing at Pelham's Studio 3 and a few weeks later, a hospitalization after a bloody assault outside the Blues Cafe. There were near assaults this past Saturday when Pearls was cited for noise/nuisance.
Newporters are too savvy to be fooled by wool-over-the-eye routine. At the same time, no one is going to be fired over this; culture is an experiment, a condition that is in flux. Perhaps these responses will elicit a germane response. Why doesn't Newport use social media?

No one fired? This is nothing short of a cover up. It is an organized effort to not report violent crime to boost tourism. And our lives and the lives of our children, hang in the balance.

Only one attack? In the NDN article it mentioned they found an ID of an earlier victim at the scene of the assault and the victim mentions they were probably in the hospital together;

Initially, police thought one of the attackers had dropped an ID card at the scene of the beating. But it belonged to a victim of an earlier attack, police said. The businessman, who requested his name not be used, said the other assault happened about a half hour before he was attacked. “We were probably in the hospital at the same time,” he said. “That’s kind of scary.”

If I know who the 2 victims are, I certainly hope the police do.

Try taking a walk almost anywhere downtown or on Broadway after dark and see if you feel safe. I don't.

@James Wermuth The Newport Police Department has just received authorization by the City to make a Facebook page. Nothing has been posted yet (it was created on Tuesday) but you can like it at http://www.facebook.com/NewportRIPolice for future updates.

It seems that many of the issues happening in these neighborhoods aren't reported. I live in the Warner Street area, just a few blocks from this particularly violent incident, and have had the call the police several times for harassment and violent threats. Blogs are reporting what citizens experience, not necessarily what is written in the police logs. We're expecting our first child in a few months and, after seeing what is happening to this neighborhood we are looking to move. There are so many great people in this area, but there are also so many who get a thrill from watching the fights and won't do so much as call the police if they saw a fellow neighbor in trouble. Not the kind of neighborhood I want to raise my child in (but a few years ago, when we bought our house, it was). Holding a press conference and saying it's not really that bad is turning a blind eye and letting this b******t continue.

Clearly the people of this community are shaken.Its what people are talking about since it happened.So much so that this city manager feels the need to address it weeks later.Stick your head in the sand it will all blow over Ms. Howington. Meanwhile there was the instance of the older gentlemen who was beat with bats and sticks a month or so ago by a group of local teenagers.And the beating I witnessed on Goodwin St. from the third floor, of a drunk well dressed man being beat by 3 young teenage boys a few months ago which I reported.Yup there's no problem in Newport as long as you don't catch them.And if you do well you got them off the streets and we don't need to talk about that again do we? Signed a fifth warder who doesn't feel safe at night in Newport and is spotting a trend.

Maybe we Ned to start taking turns going to community meetings, council meetings, etc. Any place to be heard. We have to take back our neighborhoods, to make it safe for everyone. For it to be a place that everyone wants to go and live. This is our town! We can't let the thugs and criminals run our town.

Assaults in Newport not a problem? That is why in the next section it says....
Newport Police Log: Two Charged with Assault in Separate Arrests. Enough said.

Ok so if the City Manager thinks that there is NOT a problem she is living under a rock! Lets start with the people in this town who don't work, have criminal records and are driving around in NEW $50,000.00 SUV's while most people who are working are trying to figure out how to make ends meet! Is anyone paying attention to that? I have called 911 for people and it rings and rings and rings! Just like the article said "she was disconnected from 911". This happened right behind the police station!! Two car loads of people at 230am and poof they are gone....What if it happened at the other end of town? Newport police does do a great job and they work very hard but something needs to change from the top! Newport is safe and a few things should not make Newport a bad place. It is a great place to live and visit! Things happen everywhere, in may cities. I do wish more people have reported what has gone on but they havent! The people of this community know a lot more about what is going on and the TRUTH even if not reported to police then the City Manager! Maybe she should get out and walk the streets day and night or go talk to the many people that have had things happen (we could tell her the names) rather then hold a press confrence saying that all of these things are rumors/not true! Tourism is very important to all of us including the person attacked but lets start to think about our community and put the Newport Community fist then worry about what "everyone else" thinks!

I would like to see Jane Howington resign.

I'd like to know if conspiring to suppress crime statistics is a federal crime.

who do we pressure to get her to resign .
they hire an outside person to manage this city i knew it woud not work when i read the news she was hired ,she prob has never even ben to the bad* parts of newport

I really believe that we need to get her to resign or fired. With this blatant lie, she has lost her credibility and her ability to perform her job.

We need a petition. And we all need to call outside media outlets, including the providence journal and the local tv news, and alert them to this story. " A major cover up by the town manager endangering the safety of residents and visitors." That should wake people up. Let's all get in this!

I don't know what reality Ms. Howington is living in, but she clearly hasn't been out walking in Newport recently.

As someone who lives close to Broadway, I can report that the fears of Newport residents are entirely justified. There are frequent fights and troublemakers constantly yelling. My girlfriend and I can not walk down the street without getting hassled; even during the day! Between the college fight antics on Thames, the homeless and addicted on Broadway and the roving teenage gangs, I try not to walk anywhere. The most unbelievable part is that the majority of the trouble happens directly in front of the police station! Tip to those unfamiliar with the area: Try to avoid Broadway and anything Northeast of Broadway or staying out past 9 PM.

Fortunately for everyone, there is an easy solution: Have two officers do a walking patrol up and down Broadway from Washington Square to Equality park. Also, for the Newport residents: Get involved with the schools. Tutor, teach and get to know the kids who are causing the trouble.

I am all for starting something to oust her out of her spot she is clueless about this town she needs to go, lying to the citizens face to face is no way to treat us

I'm going to call the media outlets tomorrow. Does any know how to start an online petition? We can get volunteers to get signatures outside the stop and shop and other frequented areas. I bet just about everyone would sign. We also have the election coming up. Every citizen will be going to a polling station. Great place for lots of signers!

i feel more people need to be aware of her issues before they start signing a petition

A petition is the education of citizens. They read her comments, our complaints, and discuss the issue before signing anything.

gopettion.com will prob be the site you want but i dont know much about online petitions . Just looking to take lying city leaders out of office

I'm a female in my 20's and have lived in Newport my entire life. Newport has definitely been changing in terms of feeling safe walking the streets (sidewalks). It makes me sick that the police/city are sweeping this under the rug, in order to keep up Newport's "touristy '5-star' reputation." Just wait until it's a tourist who is the victim, and not a local. Maybe then the city will admit there is in fact an issue, and it's not just a social media rumor mill. A few months ago, a friend of mine was jumped crossing Queen Anne Square as he was leaving the bar. It was a group of males, and as he was outnumbered, they jumped him and stole his cell phone. Luckily he wasn't seriously injured, and they didn't steal his wallet too. No grown man is going to report this to the police. It's humiliating for a grown man to be victimized by a group of thug "kids" and reporting it probably wouldn't get him his cell phone back. Another friend of mine was attacked by a man as she was walking down lower Thames one night, and she was sexually assaulted. Again, no police in sight. She didn't report it because like many other women who are sexually assaulted, the damage was already done. I live on upper Thames. I almost always walk with my roommate at night but occasionally I'm alone. The lack of lighting on lower Thames is an issue, as is the lack of police presence. After recent events, I'll never again walk home alone, as you never know who could be walking behind you...

Are you listening, Ms. Howington?

It's funny how concerned people are now that a ”few” incidents happened in your neighborhood. When a minimal amount of crime has been present in the city forever. from drunken sailors/ college students an unruly tourist fighting and pissing all over downtown. but as long as it was in your backyard you didn't care. I find all this BS comical.

College kids pissing downtown vs citizens being assaulted; good comparison. Remember that this article and the comments are about the city manager who called a press conference with the sole intension of lying to the public.
Pay attention , jt.

I started a petition here
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/remove-jane-howington-from-her-duties-as-city-mananger.html

the country and the world are becoming more violent. I would say that Newport is one of the safest cities in the world. pick a city, and i mean "city" even in rhode island that you would rather live in? Pawtucket? Providence? walk down the street alone in any city and your asking for trouble. i've lived in the Newport my whole life and guess what i do....I don't walk home alone, I lock my doors and windows, I don't leave valuables in my car, I don't provoke groups of people, and If I ride a bike I assure you I'm not going to be hit by a car. Go to places like New York City, New Orleans, New Bedford, or a comperable sized city like Central Falls. I guarantee you would teleport back to broadway at 2 a.m. in a second if you could.

Once again, the issue is the under reporting of violent crime by the police and the lies of the city manager. Rather than making believe it doesn't exist, we can fix it. It will only get worse, like it has in the last 20 years.

More police foot and bike patrols after dark would help tremendously, don't you think? I know personally of two people (men) who have been assaulted in the West Broadway neighborhood since June!

Let me understand this, because we are not as bad as Providence we should just pretend it doesn't exsist? That makes no sense at all.
No one is saying that Newport is the worst place to live. We are saying that there is a problem and WE want to fix it.

I've heard the stories of people getting mugged walking home after last call - was it last summer that was a big topic? Regardless of whether or not Newport IS any more or less safe, the PERCEPTION is that matters. Howington's "effort" to alter that perception came off as dishonest, it seems. The fact these 5 men are still at large isn't helping.

Newport is a walking city. I walk everywhere I can, especially if I'm headed over to Broadway, so I don't have to drive home after drinking. Yes, Bill, it happens everywhere - but some cities ARE more dangerous than others and if people feel unsafe then the police aren't doing their job. I can lock my doors and guard my purse but I should be able to walk home and have a reasonable expectation of safety in my town - a town that also relies on tourists doing the same, BTW.

Is it true that there was an earlier assault that same night, as Dan Anton said in his post, linked at the beginning of this article? And why wasn't this assault (and the other, if true) reported on Patch? I scrolled back through the Police and Fire articles and couldn't find it. In fact, there is no mention of it anywhere other than NDN, it seems.

The omission of this information here gives the impression that the city is hiding something. Or is Patch picking and choosing which police reports to share with us here? Either way, it diminishes the credibility of this site.

I personally would like to invite Ms. howington to stay in my guest bedroom for one week so she can witness first hand what goes on after dark around here. I live off of a busy street and I too had to call the police a few weeks ago because somebody was getting beat up one house down. The police reports are not accurate. I am saddend for all the victims and it is everyone responsibility to keep posting and calling in incidents. I live here because I love that it is a walking town. I have stopped walking out of fear. I really hope the police department will start taking these concerns seriously.

Providence offers a timely example of a "Smarter City" at work that's helping engaged citizens understand what's going on around them in a timely manner.
I just received this crime report email from Crimereports.com.

Crime Type(s): [PPD]-Breaking and Entering
Date: 2012-09-28
Address: 500 Block CHARLES ST
City, State: PROVIDENCE, RI
Police Narrative: Breaking and Entering
Learn more: <I have shortened the long link> http://bit.ly/RecentProvCrimes

Newport could do the same but only if citizens demand the service.
The forces of the "status quo/we're good enough/don't rock the boat" in our beautiful city are powerful. If you want this kind of service, then ask the city manager and then your council candidate who wants your vote in November.

i'm sure the vast majority of people in Newport feel safe. And the vast majority of people on the patch message board just like to hear themselves talk. So the people on here, either want to get the city manager fired, the editor of the patch fired, add a few walking patrolmen. Which one of these three worthless ideas will solve the problem? none.

so stupid. your causes are rightous but the ideas are useless. So when the city manager get fired because of this petition(which she wont) will the violence stop? If the patch editor gets fired(which she wont) will more crimes be reported? when you assign two or three officers to broadway and take them away from chapel terrace or tonomy hill will everything be ok?

nope. so keep the witch hunt going. i'm sure there are people that work at your jobs that think you should be fired.

it wasn't directed towards you. as you didn't say any of the three things i eluded to(i don't think).

I just don't think there is a problem. i feel extremely safe in this town, which is why I still live here. which is the main reason nobody leaves here

Compare Newport vs Providence using local crime data that flows to the FBI http://www.bestplaces.net/crime/?city1=54449960&city2=54459000 Yes the 1-to-10 rankings are simplistic, but at least it's a good way to move the discussion forward.

little problem....in this webcite there's a newport east...which gets 4s....making it safer than providence. the website looks pretty lame and cheesy to be taken seriously.

here's another that claims FBI credentials. and says %100 of the communities in RI are safer than Providence. Not to mention murders....in providence they are usually in the teens each year, compared to like 3 or 4 in the last 20 years in newport.

Credability of these websites aside....there is no way providence and newport are in the same ballpark. you know that

http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ri/providence/crime/#data

SNITCHES GET STITCHES

Bill, plenty of people leave Newport. I for one. Sorry but I'm not sure where you are getting your info? I'm happy YOU feel safe, glad to hear it. Just because Bill feels safe doesn't mean the town is.

I am reading up on Newport, as we wanted to visit this summer. After reading about the possible cover-ups and "playing-down" of the real dangers, we are going elsewhere. Let me know when the City gets a handle on the crime, and we may visit in a few years. I am more afraid of the lack of appropriate response from the City than I am of the actual violent criminals.