Safer cars mean faster response for Fall River Police after Diman students’ invention
FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — When the Fall River Police Department needed help, students at Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School stepped up.
Traveling from scene to scene, officers were having trouble keeping supplies from sliding around the back of their cruisers.
“There was a time where a patrol officer was going to a call, and the fire extinguisher actually went off in the rear of the cruiser,” Diman School Resource Officer Anoush Alemian said.
In November, Chief Kelly Furtado had seen enough, and turned to Diman for help.
Kevin Lopes worked as a school resource officer at the school for several years.
“My supervisor approached me and said, ‘What do you think the kids can put together to organize our trunks?'” Lopes said.
The school jumped at the idea, and students were soon working on the project, including sophomore Ava King.
“We programmed the [computer numerical control] and then, after we drilled out holes in it, I glued it, then staple-gunned it together,” King said.
There was a total of 14 organizers made uniquely by Diman for Fall River police cruisers.
“The bin sits here perfectly, so it’s not moving around,” Alemian demonstrated. “We also have the riot shield here that fits perfectly in the back of this bin, and it doesn’t obstruct when the officer is driving.”
After all their hard work, King said seeing the project come to fruition is rewarding.
“Honestly, it was a challenge,” King said. “But once I know that I’m giving back to the community and helping them, it felt like an accomplishment.”
Lopes said, while it may seem simple, keeping the cruisers organized makes a big difference.
“You’re not rummaging through a pile of stuff in the trunk, you know exactly where it is, that can save seconds and that can save a life,” Lopes explained. “It may be a small project but it’s a big project for us.”
Fall River is currently the only department using the organizers, but Diman Superintendent Brian Bentley said, if any other city or town is interested, they can reach out at any time.
