The effectiveness of the city’s police and fire departments was front and center during this year’s Fall River Municipal Election. We caught up with Police Chief Paul Gauvin and Fire Chief Roger St. Martin to give us an update on their views on the state of public safety in Fall River.
You can view our full interview with the chiefs on this week’s edition of FRCMedia News, which airs tonight at 6pm and tomorrow at 5:30pm on FRCMedia Channel 95.
Chief Gauvin says when it comes to whether Fall River is a safe place to live, it’s important to present accurate data.
Chief Gauvin says crime overall has been relatively flat with gun shots fired remaining a big area of concern, with cases thus far totaling in the high 40s for the year.
Even though the state legislature is still working on gun reform legislation, Chief Gauvin says he is not in support of all of the measures recently passed by the House.
The chief says the department is making advancements in filling openings for patrol officers.
Chief Gauvin says the city was recently awarded over $2 million in Federal grants that will aid in paying the salary of new recruits.
Chief St. Martin says the fire department is looking to fill 8 firefighter positions and has a growing pool of candidates. He also says the department has seen additional financial support through the awarding of grants to bolster staffing and equipment and facility upkeep.
Chief St. Martin says for years the department has responded to roughly the same number of calls annually.
The chief also says the department remains steadfast in ensuring its apparatus are replaced in a timely manner or are adequately maintained.
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