'Can ban' will slow groups from fund-raising in traffic on Mineral Spring Avenue

NORTH PROVIDENCE - Col. John Whiting is kicking the cans of fund raisers out of the street after several near-misses along Mineral Spring Avenue.

The chief said that too many groups are setting up at intersections and sending volunteers, including youth, into stopped traffic to collect donations.

"There isn't a week that goes by without some dance troupe or veteran's shelter group out in the street collecting," he said.

"We've had several near misses and if an accident occurred, I'd be held accountable."

Under the present arrangement, groups report to the police station and notify police of their plans for canning. They are required to show identification.

The problem is once they are out the door and in the street anything can happen, and most of it is not good.

"We started enforcing this a month ago," Whiting said. "It is uncontrolled and untrained and unqualified people walking in the middle of the street in traffic."

Whiting said the only people who will be allowed to can in the future will be those who are "trained and qualified public safety people."

The most familiar canning is the annual collection for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in which firefighters fan out across communities on Labor Day Weekend to fill fire boots. That will still be permitted, Whiting said.

Whiting said that groups can still collect in front of stores and at shopping plazas provided the owner of the property approves.

"Right now you are held hostage when you drive down Mineral Spring Avenue," Whiting said.

"You are trapped in your car when they approach with their cans. The light can change and they are still out in the middle of street sometimes, which poses a hazard for them and for drivers."

Patrol officers will intercept any groups who are canning on roadways and walking into traffic, Whiting said.