R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-21-5: Action by town or city.

Whenever any penalty or forfeiture, or any part of a penalty or forfeiture, shall be given to any town by any penal statute, the town council may sue for the penalty or forfeiture in the name of the town, or the proper prosecuting officer in the name of any city which shall be entitled to the benefit of the penalty or forfeiture, and the town council may remit the whole of the penalty or forfeiture.