Members of United Interfaith Action (UIA) held a structured meeting on November 14, 2010 at St. Mary's School with Mayor William Flanagan, Police Chief Dan Racine and Public Works Director Ken Pacheco to obtain their agreement to a number of actions to increase public safety in the downtown Fall River area. Some of those actions include placing a police officer in the downtown area, improve snow removal, replace benches, roll back parking fees at the city garage, and install a pedestrian light on Second Street. In addition, the group asked for the Mayor's support for funding the Shannon Community Safety Program to continue their work with at-risk youth.  UIA is a congregation-based community improvement organization that has been active in Fall River for over ten years. Leaders and clergy of the Church of the Holy Spirit, St. Mary's Cathedral, and First Baptist Church organized the meeting. Click here for photos of previous UIA Actions. For more information about UIA, contact Rev. Scott Spencer..
 

(Top row, left) Fr. Karl Bessinger opens the session with greetings from Bishop Coleman. (Top row, center) Judy Bougie of the Church of the Holy Spirit gives testimony about the incidence of crime in the downtown area of the city. (Top row, right) Bob Moiz of St. Mary's Cathedral gives testimony about the need for improvements in the walkability of the downtown area. (Middle row, left) Michael Nhem of the Peaceful Coalition gives testimony about growing up around gangs in the city. (Middle row, right) Police Chief Dan Racine responds to Carol Coie of St. Mary's that he will review the "hot spots" in the area and will designate an officer to be the "downtown public safety liaison." (Bottom row, left) Mayor Flanagan responds that he will implement the requested improvements to the downtown area with the assistance of Public Works director Ken Pacheco and others. (Bottom row, center) Yvette Mancini of St. Mary's hugs the Mayor to thank him for his response as Carol Coie applauds. (Bottom row, right) Rev. Donald Mier of First Baptist Fall River urges others to get involved by attending an upcoming meeting of UIA.