Police are investigating harassment claims of a Warwick resident with a long history of criticizing the city administration. Rob Cote claims to have received 15 vulgar, explicit, and disturbing letters over the course of two years. He said
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Police are investigating harassment claims of a Warwick resident with a long history of criticizing the city administration.
Rob Cote claims to have received 15 vulgar, explicit, and disturbing letters over the course of two years. He said the letters, which come in envelopes that have his name and address taped on to them, arrive soon after he makes public statements at a City Council meeting or appears in the press. Sometimes, he said, the letters reference his comments. Some are postmarked from North Carolina and Florida, so Cote believes the sender must mail them while they’re on vacation or has a friend send them. Last Tuesday, he sent an email to Mayor Scott Avedisian about the matter with a copy of the letter.
“You’re just a loudmouth piece of s*** complainer who likes to hear himself talk. The only problem with that is that nobody gives a flying f*** what you have to say,” reads one line of the letter.
City Council members, the police and fire chiefs and media were copied on the email with the letter. Police Colonel McCartney responded, telling Cote to contact the department as soon as possible to open a complaint investigation. He also offered to help facilitate contact with State Police, which Cote said he’s already done for other matters, but not the letters.
School Committee Vice Chair Gene Nadeau also chimed in.
“Seldom have I ever read such a disgusting, outrageous, and upsetting letter… Whether one disagrees with you or not, [you] should never be subjected to this Warwick disgrace. No one in this city or any other city should be allowed to tolerate this hate mail for another day,” Nadeau wrote.
Cote claims the letters are coming from someone in the fire department. He said one of the letters came on a photocopied piece of Warwick Fire Department letterhead, but did not provide that letter to the Beacon as he said he no longer has it. Other letters provided are headed with a clip art-like image (not official WFD logos) of a firefighter’s helmet and axes.
WFD Chief James McLaughlin said none of this means any of the letters have come from a firefighter.
“[Cote] can think that all he wants, but there is no proof,” he said. Mayor Avedisian reiterated McLaughlin’s point, saying there is nothing to substantiate Cote’s claim that the letters are being sent by a city employee.
“We have no reason to believe it is a city employee. Colonel McCartney and Deputy Chief Babula have stressed numerous times that Mr. Cote should not open such mail and should allow the police department to retrieve such letters and allow them to be dusted for fingerprints,” the Mayor said in a statement.
Cote persists in his claim that a city worker is sending the letters.
“I continue to find it entertaining to read them because it suggests the level of mentality that we have as city workers,” he said.
The investigation is ongoing, so Col. McCartney could offer no further comment.
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RISchadenfreude
Well, obviously SOME disgruntled citizen gives enough of a "flying f***" about what Mr. Cote says to jeopardize his own freedom. Who else would be taking this so personally other than a city worker or a family member/friend of one, maybe one of the civilian denizens ("hang-around") at the Firefighters' Hall?
It's a matter of time before this fool is caught- people like that can't keep their mouths shut about how "clever" they are, and this nitwit seems to have an accomplice.
Keep shaking the tree, Mr. Cote- too bad some delicate feelings are getting hurt.
Thursday, October 6, 2016 Report this
Scal1024
Sad that somebody would take it to this level. I disagree with Rob on alot of stuff, but nobody should have this happen to them or have to worry about the safety of their family.
To be fair I've read some below the belt shots that Rob has taken at members of the WFD, and I've read some cheap shots taken at Rob by city employees. Neither example makes it right, and I'm not trying to justify either. I just think there is alot of history here and it's gotten incredibly personal.
My hope is that these letters stop. If you disagree with Rob debate him on issues and don't resort to such a gutter tactic. Rob, stick to the issues that are important to people. It's something I've suggested before (not that you need to take advice from me) just my opinion. Good luck and I hope this stops immediately.
Thursday, October 6, 2016 Report this
Warwick Man
I wouldn't put it past this Nutjob to be sending this crap to himself.
Thursday, October 6, 2016 Report this
Warwick Man
I wouldn't put it past this Nutjob to be sending this crap to himself.
Thursday, October 6, 2016 Report this
KaptainMorgan
Cote can be a very abrasive individual -- well, ok is usually very abrasive... but, sending threatening letters is childish. Confront him on the issues --- he has some valid points, but also is all wet sometimes...
Take the car tax for example -- Rob, I'm with you 100%, But the crap with following the WFD videoing everything is usually bogus. I personally (as a city tax payer) do not mind that the WPD and WFD are interactive with the community and I truly hope that both departments continue / expand the efforts to interact with the citizens of Warwick -- it is good for the entire community.
Come on kids, grow up and act like adults....
Thursday, October 6, 2016 Report this
wwkvoter
I agree with the other comments here. Rob is a very abrasive individual. But he is often right when he calls out an issue and no one who calls themselves an American can condone harassing someone for speaking their politics. Hoping the cops get to the bottom of this, no matter where it leads them.
Friday, October 7, 2016 Report this
davebarry109
It is not illegal to use profanity in a letter. Whether the amount of letters can be considered a criminal act is also up for debate. While I don't condone the tone of the letters, there is free speech in this country. I'm not sure the police should be investigating someone getting vulgar letters. Vulgarity is not illegal.
Thursday, October 13, 2016 Report this