FALL RIVER -- In the past seven weeks the city has witnessed a barrage of shooting-related crimes and calls regarding shots fired. The most recent was the horrific shooting of two women on Tuesday night allegedly by a father and son pair who are city residents.
From June 1 to July 7, there have been nine cases of gun-related crimes. In June alone, "shots fired" calls for police response more than doubled last June's total, going up from 16 incidents to 33.
Mayor Paul Coogan and local law enforcement leaders are tired of it and, at a press conference Thursday in Government Center, pledged to stop the trend.
"In the last 39 days we have certainly seen a surge of gun violence in Fall River, and I can tell you that speaking for the members of my organization we are absolutely appalled by what’s going on,” said Fall River Police Chief Jeffrey Cardoza. “As far as we’re concerned, one gun crime or one shooting is one too many.”
Cardoza said the recent gun crimes “are not random incidents.”
“Most of the incidents where a person was struck by gunfire, the victim and the suspect are known to each other,” Cardoza said.
Fall River police officers and detectives have been working “day and night with sleepless hours,” and Cardoza said he’s reached out to the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and specifically for the Massachusetts State Police to deploy additional resources in Fall River.
Cardoza said he expects the state police “community action team” to be deployed in the city until further notice.
Also, a Fall River task force officer will be working with the ATF, Cardoza said.
“So we have their resources day and night at our fingertips,” he said.
A Lakeville FBI agent is aware in the uptick of gun violence in the city and is working with the FRPD on strategies, Cardoza said, though he declined to expand on what those strategies might be.
“If people don’t feel safe in their communities then a community is never going to be able to reach its full potential,” said Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn. “One of my priorities as district attorney is to keep dangerous people off the street.”
Quinn said some of the crimes involve people who are not from Fall River.
“People have a right to come here from any community, but if they’re coming here to deal drugs, carry illegal weapons and shoot people, they certainly are not welcome to do that and every effort will be made to have them held accountable,” Quinn said.
Quinn said suspects in pending shooting cases are from Boston, Brockton and New Bedford.
Another issue that undermines public safety, Quinn said, is convicted prisoners getting early release due to COVID-19.
Coogan said Fall River residents should be safe and feel safe in their community and at a minimum live free from violence.
“The city of Fall River will not allow people to break the law or intimidate others. Those who want to make the city more dangerous will not be allowed to run around our city unchecked,” said Coogan. “It’s time to draw a line in the sand.”
Email Jo C. Goode at jgoode@heraldnews.com.