A Tragic Event at Dexter Park

Submitted by Dtknightt t3_ykkd3q in providence

I received this email today from the West Broadway Neighborhood Association, WBNA, about an apparent suicide which happened at Dexter Park on Halloween night. Very upsetting to hear this. I can’t find any articles about it online, but figured I would share with you all who may not be aware.

Rest in peace to this poor person…

This is the email in question:

“Early this morning, an unnamed individual took their life at Dexter Training Ground Park. This is why you may have noticed a large police presence at the park around 8am. We have been in touch with our area's police district command but that is the only publicly available information that could be shared at this time.

We don't know the age, the identity, legal status of this person, whether they rented in our neighborhood or were unhoused. Any number of reasons or circumstances could have led to this outcome. All that's known is that a life was lost today and that merits acknowledgment.

As a community, we can use today as a reminder to hold our loved ones close, check-in on those who may be isolated or vulnerable, share smiles with everyone, and allow ourselves grace in light of challenges. As an organization, we will continue to offer opportunities for gathering and connecting with one another so that we can lift up and hold in a web of caring, those who need it most.”

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Comments

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Proof-Variation7005 t1_iutp2fc wrote

Typically a suicide isn't getting much media coverage unless it's something disruptive or a case where the media picks up a body was found and reports on it before the cops quietly tell them what happened and they drop the story.

I'm all for message in the last paragraph but the first part of this message and sending an email blast about feels a little gross to me, especially the part where they're talking about immigration/housing status.

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Dtknightt OP t1_iutpn33 wrote

Replying to Proof-Variation7005 (#431,007)

That makes total sense. I’m not too aware as to how these situations are typically handled by media or police, for what it’s worth.

I’ve no knowledge as to why the writer chose to emphasize the lack of those specific details, but I figured I’d share it with you all regardless.

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Dtknightt OP t1_iutr8ai wrote

Replying to Proof-Variation7005 (#431,091)

No worries, I didn’t think that. I agree with you regarding their choice of words. It almost insinuates that it likely was one of these factors which led to one’s suicide, yet with zero direct knowledge of the circumstances.

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iddrinktothat t1_iutwnrm wrote

Replying to Dtknightt (#431,108)

I think its to prevent questions and speculation regarding that but i agree it almost suggests something. It could have just said we dont know the identity or it could have said we dont know the age/sex/race of the person in question.

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degggendorf t1_iuugct5 wrote

Replying to Proof-Variation7005 (#431,007)

>especially the part where they're talking about immigration/housing status.

Yeah that stuck me as odd too. Why call out specific characteristics that are unknown? "We don't know anything about the individual" covers all the bases.

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lightningbolt1987 t1_iuwf27c wrote

Replying to Proof-Variation7005 (#432,601)

There’s a large unhoused population in the park and it’s also a pick-up point for migrant workers—both of whom are vulnerable populations and likely why they specifically called it out. Contrary to saying they AREN’T from the neighborhood it implied to me that it’s saying the opposite and acknowledging the typical population at Dexter Park. It was a poorly phrased way of trying to be sensitive.

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Proof-Variation7005 t1_iuwg3aw wrote

Replying to lightningbolt1987 (#435,197)

I think the best moves are either to not do the email blast in the first place, or just say "while we don't know this person or what led to these tragic circumstances, <all that nice shit about checking in on people they closed with>"

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citrus_mystic t1_iuwzcx8 wrote

Sad to hear. There’s been at least 1 other death in the park within the past decade or two.

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leavingthecold t1_iux297h wrote

I remember a couple years back Pre Covid, there was a suicide right off the off ramp exit 23 North next to the Marriot. Followed the story for about a week no name no nothing given per any media outlet. Still unsure who that person was.

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FoleyisGood t1_iuxkuka wrote

Replying to Proof-Variation7005 (#435,101)

I lived on the west side many years ago. I joined the WBNA to take part in their home compost pickup pilot program. I went to one community meeting and swore never to go back to that cringe fest ever again.

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Proof-Variation7005 t1_iuxp5rc wrote

Replying to leavingthecold (#436,316)

There was a likely suicide yesterday on the commuter rail tracks very close to that area. There almost certainly won't really be any follow-up on it beyond the details released.

I think something like 1/3 of the people hit by trains are officially deemed to be suicides as is. That's just the official tally they can confirm. In a case where the tracks aren't easily accessible or a practical shortcut, it's hard to see how that was anything other than intentional.

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NeedleworkerNo6631 t1_iuze5co wrote

Wow that's really sad to hear.. We went trick or treat around the park on Monday night with my 2 year old daughter.

We used to do laps around the park and go to the playground beginning of the summer, but there's always people sleeping the grass and drinking beer.

As much as I love my city, we changed to the Johnston memorial park.

R.I.P.

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