State Senator Elaine Morgan of Rhode Island caused controversy with her recent Facebook post criticizing security at the ECHO Village Pallet shelters in Providence. In her post, she made disparaging remarks about a man she encountered during an attempted unannounced visit to the site. The post went through multiple revisions, with the initial version referring to the man as “Big Rolly Poly Dark skinned.”
The nonprofit House of Hope operates the site, which comprises 45 one-room Pallet shelters on state-owned land. They have implemented security measures since the site opened last month. Executive Director Laura Jaworski condemned Senator Morgan’s remarks, calling them uninformed and offensive. She emphasized the importance of protecting the safety, privacy, and dignity of the residents they serve.
Jaworski invited Senator Morgan to schedule a meeting to gain a better understanding of the work being done at ECHO Village. She hoped this could lead to productive dialogue and dispel harmful stigmas and misinformation. In her post, Senator Morgan also mentioned the overwhelming smell of cannabis near the site, and her plan to investigate further.
Governor Dan McKee commented on the situation, highlighting the need for security at the site to protect the residents. When reached for comment, Senator Morgan did not respond. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for more respectful and informed discourse surrounding issues of homelessness and security.
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