Partners for a Healthier Community

Healthy City Fall River Action Priority Summary Page
This is one of five pages that describe an Action Priority that was selected for a focus in 2004. Participants in the Healthy City Summit held on March 25th outlined specific targeted activities that will address one or more identified problems and challenges supported by data indicators. A complete report summarizing all activities specific to this priority area is currently being prepared by members of the Healthy City Fall River Design Team with the assistance of the Healthy City Coordinator.
	Safety and Substance Abuse: This Area, which received the most "votes" from over 500 people who participated in the city-wide balloting in September, 2003, includes goals for 1) Increased community policing and personal safety; 2) a drug-free community, including enforcement of tobacco regulations; and 3) reduction of gangs.
While crime rates in general are only slightly higher in Fall River than national averages, they are significantly lower than larger Massachusetts cities such as Boston. A number of specific problem areas have been identified, however, that merit concerted action.
Data indicators that support the recognition of problems and challenges: (click underlined text to link with data source)	Current activities that are directed to improvements or problem resolution (click underlined text to link with web-based information about the activity)
Fall River had a much higher rate of treatment for heroin and heroin related deaths than for alcohol. This is a key indicator that heroin use is a major problem in the community and there is an urgent need for a coordinated area-wide response.	The Mayor's office has launched a region-wide cooperative effort among law enforcement, education, treatment center operators and elected officials to address the heroin and substance abuse crisis in the Fall River/New Bedford Area.
Over 10% of Durfee High School students reported being involved with a gang in 2001. Fall River had double the rate of violence related gunshot and sharp instrument wounds in 1997 than the state average. This may be a reflection of increased drug and gang-related activity in the City.	The Fall River Police Department maintains a gang activity investigation unit that uses both encouragement and enforcement to reduce gang-related crime. In addition, an award-winning Neighborhood Crime Watch program has been operating in a number of Fall River neighborhoods enlisting citizens in increased surveillance and resulting in arrests for drug-related criminal activity. as part of the Safe Neighborhoods Initiative..
	A Community Policing Unit of the Fall River Police Department is working to reduce crime through closer working relationships with neighborhood associations. Over $250,000 in Community Development Agency funds support a Walking Beat police program for low income neighborhoods. This type of activity has been effective in New Bedford.
	The Fall River Police Department teams up with the YMCA to run a Teen Action Patrol for youth.
	The Peaceful Coalition at Durfee High School brings students together who might otherwise be involved in gang formation and activity.
Fall River had an 18% higher rate of intimate partner abuse among women ages 18-59.	The Fall River Coalition for the Prevention of Domestic Violence is working to reduce intimate partner abuse within the City. The Katie Brown Educational Program is providing education to hundreds of Fall River students in an effort to prevent intimate violence.
	Funded by a grant from the City of Fall River, the Family Service Peer Mediation program provides peer mediation and conflict resolution training to students enrolled in Fall River's four middle schools. helping students to deal positively with anger and to pursue non-violent ways to solve conflict.
	The Fall River Schools have adopted "Steps to Respect", an approved bullying prevention program for elementary school youth. The Bristol County Sheriff's Office has also developed an anti-bullying curriculum for use in schools.
Self-reported tobacco use among youth under 18 is nearly 18% and indicates that tobacco products continue to be available to youth despite current laws prohibiting sales.	Efforts have been made in past years to conduct "stings" of local retail outlets to monitor cigarette sales to minors and warnings and fines have been levied against violators. This activity, initally funded by the federal government under the SYNAR Amendment, however, has been recently curtailed due to the severe reductions in funding from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
	The Massachusetts Legislature has passed new state-wide restrictions on smoking in the workplace. To prepare for implementation of these laws in communities that do not already have such restrictions on the books, the Mass. Department of Public Health will provide an educational campaign.

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