FALL RIVER: A new RCMP community policing office is coming to Fall River.
It’s a move that both police and local leaders say will improve visibility, strengthen relationships, and help address the area’s most frequent calls for service.
During a recent community meeting, RCMP officials outlined their plans for the new office, which will serve Fall River and area (with the exact areas to be determined).
RCMP and councillor Cathy Deagle Gammon did confirm it will not be located at the Gordon R. Snow Community Centre so they are looking for a spot to put a trailer to start and then a building eventually.
The office will be staffed with six officers rotating shifts to ensure regular patrols and engagement with residents and businesses. Three of the officers to be at the community office were in attendance at the meeting.
Councillor Billy Gillis and MLA Brian Wong were also among those in the crowd at the LWF Hall.
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A data presentation showed that most calls for service in the Fall River area occur along Highway 2. The most common calls include assisting citizens, driving complaints, and well-being checks. Other frequent incidents involve disputes, suspicious activity, and mental health–related calls.
“The red areas on the map show where we’re busiest, and not surprisingly, that’s along Highway 2,” said Insp. Cory Bushell.
“We want this office to focus on what matters most to the community — from traffic safety to youth outreach to local crime reduction.”
RCMP officials said they’re developing a performance plan to guide operations at the new office.
Possible focus areas include impaired and distracted driving enforcement, educational presentations for youth, community safety workshops, and annual town hall meetings.
There was discussion about traffic as an issue; speeding; some of those partaking in the Sunday night car club during the summer who speed away when leaving; and school bus passing; plus not able to get through to the non-emergency phone number when some attendees have tried to report things; and more.
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Deagle Gammon and several residents at the session praised the announcement.
Community member Steve Sinnott called the new office “a big win for Fall River,” noting that the RCMP could have located it elsewhere.
“They decided to come here because of the town halls Cathy’s had with the RCMP and all the discussions we’ve had,” said Sinnott “This is important for us — visibility in the community is going to be major as we move forward.”
The new office is expected to open in the coming months.
The RCMP said they’ll continue gathering community input to determine priorities once operations begin.
