A Community Leadership Forum on Safety and Substance Abuse, co-sponsored by the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts and Partners for a Healthier Community was held at LePage's Seafood & Grille on October 13 2006. Leaders from Fall River who had a particular interest in these issues were invited to hear from a panel composed of Fall River Police Chief John M. Souza, Youth Services Coordinator Christian McCloskey, B.O.L.D. Coalition Director Karen Fischer and Tobacco Control Coordinator Marilyn Edge. Following the presentation, participants were invited to share their observations and to suggest potential approaches to increasing safety and reducing substance abuse in Fall River. Additional forums were planned for each of the remaining four Action Priority Areas including a summary report for the spring of 2007. For more information, contact Healthy City Fall River Coordinator David S. Weed, Psy.D. at 508-324-2411.
 

(Top row, left) Community Foundation of SE Mass President Craig Dutra chats with Fall River Health and Human Service Director Michael Coughlin prior to the start of the Forum at LePage's Restaurant. (Top row, center) Fall River Police Department Chief John M. Souza presents an assessment of the City's crime rate and progress in dealing with gang violence as officers John Lapointe and Brett Kimball (foreground) and others listen. (Top row, right) Chief Souza and B.O.L.D. Director Karen Fischer listen as Youth Services Coordinator Christian McCloskey displays a tee-shirt from the new Youth Outreach program designed to address gang violence. (Middle row, left) Youth Outreach Workers Kelvin Ortiz, Mark Travis, and Korin Pensao, along with Maplewood Neighborhood Association Chairperson Jeanne Santos listen to Fall River School Superintendent Nicholas Fischer as he makes a point about the role of schools in improving the safety of youth. (Middle row, center) Healthy City Coordinator David Weed, Psy.D. addresses the forum participants. (Middle row, right) B.O.L.D. Director Karen Fischer describes some of the interventions that can be successful in reducing substance abuse among youth and Christian McCloskey and Fall River Tobacco Control Coordinator Marilyn Edge listen. (Bottom row, left) Flint Merchant Association Vice-president Carlos Ceasar makes a point about crime prevention as Association President Michieala Benigo (left), Highland Neighborhood Association President Santi DiRuzza and Niagara Neighborhood Association President Angela Foley listen. (Bottom row, center) Mr. DiRuzza responds. (Bottom row, right) Jeanne Santos talks about ways of strengthening families as Marilyn Edge listens.