‘This ends today’: Fall River police operation clears out ‘colony of criminals’ from city trail

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — Fall River police executed “Operation Clear Path” Tuesday morning, removing what they called “a colony of criminals” occupying the Quequechan Rail Trail.

This initial operation was intended to clear the trail of debris and to arrest the people encamped in the area.

“Today’s operation focused on removing trespassers, clearing contaminated debris and searching the area for illegal firearms and narcotics,” said the statement from police.

According to the Fall River Police Department (FRPD), the Rodman Street to Brayton Avenue area of the trail was the focus of the operation.

Police said this stretch of the trail has been subject to over 800 calls for service over the past three years.

This includes reports of “sexual assaults, overdoses, robberies, fires, assaults with weapons and the ongoing presence of biohazardous waste.”

The statement posted to Facebook also claims that outreach workers have attempted over the years to offer housing, rehabilitation and assistance to subjects occupying the trail.

These workers have been threatened with weapons and every person encamped in the area has refused to take assistance, according to FRPD.

“The area has effectively become a colony of criminals, where the overwhelming majority of trespassers have significant criminal histories, including numerous violent offenses,” said the FRPD statement.

“This group has contaminated a public space meant for families and children, choosing to reject help in favor of continuing illicit and dangerous behavior.”

The department shared numerous photos of the area, claiming to have found used needles, human waste and mounds of garbage.

“This ends today,” said the statement.

The operation has been billed as “only the beginning” of the effort to “reclaim and restore the Quequechan Rail Trail.”

“Moving forward, we will maintain a visible police presence through walking patrols, increased enforcement and routine sweeps of the area,” said the statement.

“We are committed to ensuring this public space becomes safe, clean and accessible once again.”

The statement concluded with a notice that arrests will be announced in a follow-up post.