This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Council Discusses "Tag Day" Violation

Insufficient signs were posted per new rules set in February.

Council members told Police Chief Thomas Carey during Moday's City Council Meeting they want strict enforcement of tag day regulations passed in February.

"Tag Days" are fundraisers in which volunteers approach cars stopped in traffic to ask for small donations. Two months ago the City Council passed an ordinance that limits such collections to two locations, Park Square, and the intersection of Hamlet and Cumberland streets. Volunteers must put out signs reading "tag day ahead," and all must wear the same brightly-colored safety vests used by work crews repairing roads.

At Monday's City Council meeting, some Council members complained volunteers from an organization they did not name violated the new rules during a recent tag day.

Find out what's happening in Woonsocketwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Council President John Ward later identified the organization as River United Methodist Communities. The organization operates the .

Councilman Dan Gendron said the group did not put up enough signs. "We want everyone to back up what we've put together," he said. "It's a good policy."

Find out what's happening in Woonsocketwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I saw one person walking up and down the middle of the road to collect," added Councilman Roger Jalette. "It made me wonder if the Police Department is keeping an eye on things."

Councilman Christopher Beauchamp took partial blame for the situation. He said his employer, a road paving company, had volunteered to make the signs, but because of communication mishaps, they've only produced three thus far, not the five required by the ordinance. He said that and a scheduling error accounted for the River United volunteers not following the rules.

Editor Rob Borkowski contributed to this report.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?