EAST PROVIDENCE — In the wake of protestations from some in the community, officials in East Providence have rescinded an offer to hire the “Dancing Cop” for the holiday season.
On Friday, Nov. 27, Council President and Mayor Tommy Rose announced he in consultation with some members of the board had decided to offer Tony Lepore the opportunity to perform in the city. The former Providence Police officer known nationally for his energetic exploits would patrol traffic in front of City Hall until Christmas Eve.
His first engagement in East Providence would be at the annual Christmas Tree lighting at the Crescent Park Carousel Sunday, Nov. 29, according to Mr. Rose.
However, as word spread of the hiring some in the city and from the area argued against it, threatening to protest Sunday’s event. Mr. Lepore eventually decided not to attend the tree lighting and by Tuesday, Dec. 1, the offer to work the holiday season was also taken back by the East Providence Council. An item on that night’s City Council meeting “Holiday Entertainment and Performance” by Mr. Rose was also expected not to come to the floor.
Mr. Lepore was recently involved in controversy over the “Black Lives Matter” movement. He took to Facebook to express his opinions about an incident that took place in Providence where a Dunkin Donuts employee wrote the slogan “#black lives matter” on the cup of a Providence Police officer attempting to buy coffee.
Two days before Thanksgiving, Mr. Lepore was informed by Providence officials he would no longer be employed as the “Dancing Cop” there.
Upon learning about the decision East Providence At-Large City Councilor Tracy Capobianco and Mr. Rose backed the notion of bringing Mr. Lepore to East Providence. However, by Tuesday, Mrs. Capobianco announced she would not support his formal hiring.
“When I learned the ‘Dancing Cop’ would not be performing in Providence this year, I thought it would add some holiday cheer here in East Providence,” Mrs. Capobianco wrote in a statement. “I spoke to the mayor about it. I’m embarrassed to admit at the time, I had no idea how much controversy surrounded Mr. Lepore. I soon came to realize that if hired here it may be offensive to people, which immediately made me realize hiring him would not be the right decision.”
For his part, Mr. Lepore remained adamant about his stance against the backlash he has faced about attending the Carousel event. He again took to Facebook where he wrote the following, “We were told yesterday (November 29) morning that 4 ‘Black Lives Matter’ groups were protesting there. As it turned out, it was a very small number. We were mislead. I would have gone had I known. I thought it best on behalf the children. As for me being a racist, there is nothing further from the truth. This is not a black or white issue. That`s the only leg they have to stand on. There is absolutely no valid reason for any protest against me. My stance is and always will be that ‘ALL’ colors matter.”
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