Officers John Lapointe and Brett Kimball have offered educational presentations on gang violence and its prevention to groups of parents, middle school children, teachers, and agency personnel throughout Fall River in an effort to increase awareness and preventative responses to the problem. These officers are part of the Youth Violence Prevention Unit of the Fall River Police Department, which specializes in the surveillance and prosecution of gang-related criminal activity. Community education is an important part of the strategy as wide-spread awareness of gang activity helps to increase the flow of information that can make arrest and interdiction of illegal activity more likely. Any organization that would like to arrange a presentation can contact Lt. Daniel Racine at 508-676-8511 to make arrangements.
 

(Top row) Officer Lapointe opens the educational presentation with some general facts about gangs that operate in Fall River. (Bottom row, left) Officer Brett Kimball points out some of the language used by local gangs. (Bottom row, center) Some of the weapons confiscated from youth in Fall River are displayed.