On May 17th last year two people were killed, one a 14-year-old boy, during a shooting near Griffin Park in the Corky Row Neighborhood of Fall Fiver. That area of the city has long been characterized as “The Hood”. The president of the Corky Row Neighborhood Association says that characterization is not reflective of the people and businesses that call it home.
Mark Conrad says in the aftermath of the shooting there was increased police presence in the neighborhood and support was widespread from many residents and city political leaders. That spike in awareness of Corky Row was welcomed, but the neighborhood has never been overlooked by those in authority in Fall River.
Conrad says residents receive regular updates from police on crime activity in Corky Row, showing incidents of drugs and violence on the decline. He says the problems that persist are no different than those faced by other neighborhoods across the city.
After the shooting, many residents told Conrad they were aware an incident took place near Griffin Park but did not know the details of the two fatalities. He says that’s disturbing and reflects the trend of residents wanting to keep to themselves and not engage in neighborhood activity.
Conrad says the neighborhood association, in conjunction with the city, will continue to sponsor events for residents to enjoy. He is also working with the family of 14-year-old victim Miguel Sanjorjo in having him memorialized in some way at Griffin Park…by either having the basketball courts named for him or dedicating a park bench on his behalf. That remembrance will be a small token of what should be a broader neighborhood message.
At Griffin Park, visual memorials remain for both Sanjorjo and 29-year-old Jovaughn Antonio Mills also killed during the shooting last May. A third male was also struck by gunfire and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Two city men were arrested and charged in the shooting.
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