Recently, controversy has risen in Providence, Rhode Island following a 17yr.old drive thru worker writing "Black Lives Matter" on a coffee cup, which was served to a Providence police officer. Instead of attempting to engage in dialogue with the teen, the officer decided to take to social media to discuss the incident, creating a frenzy with the assistance of the local police union.

Enter, Retired Providence police officer Tony Lepore, Sr., also known as the "Dancing Traffic Cop" (Lepore gained fame for his antics when directing holiday traffic) who decided to jump into the controversy, inciting the debate with incendiary interpretations of the local Black Lives Matter movement and a call to boycott the Dunkin Donuts franchise where the coffee cup was served.

It was later discovered that Lepore appeared in an ad for a competitor of Dunkin Donuts http://www.990wbob.com/news--politics/dancing-cop-who-called-for-dunkin-donuts-boycott-moonlights-as-honey-dew-spokesperson

It is believed that Tony Lepore's actions in this matter have been divisive to the Providence community through manipulative use and abuse of the Providence Police Department's influence. We call on Mayor Jorge Elorza and Public Safety Commissioner Stephen Pare to discontinue the use of Mr. Lepore as a traffic cop this holiday season.

The Holiday season is about goodwill and having Mr. Lepore working in an official capacity sends the wrong message to those who desire to shop and dine DownCity Providence. Moreover, it would contradict and possibly damage the confidence that Providence residents and law enforcement have worked tirelessly to build with each other.

Please, stand with the people of Providence as we stand as One Providence! Discontinue the use of the Dancing Cop!