Shannon Community Safety Initiative

Charles E. Shannon Community Safety Initiative: Fall River Strategic Approach to Reduce Gang Engagement

With funding from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety, CJI is collaborating as the local action research partner with the city of Fall River. CJI staff are working closely with Fall River partners to use data to help guide and assess collaborative efforts to reduce youth gang violence. The project includes gathering and analyzing a variety of data to help refine the problem definition and intervention strategies; providing ongoing feedback to assess progress and guide improvements; and preparing a case study evaluation of the initiative.

The Fall River Strategic Approach to Reduce Gang Engagement (SARGE) is a collaborative group composed of community organizations, city agencies, and local law enforcement dedicated to addressing gang and youth violence in the city of Fall River. Funding is through the Shannon Community Safety Initiative out of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

Utilizing a collaborative and comprehensive approach, the group actively addresses prevention, intervention, and gang suppression strategies to attempt to address all components of gang involvement and youth violence. The collaborative works to develop and implement strategies, programs, and policies that address the reasons why youth join gangs and commit violence and promote a more peaceful community. Current partners include: Youth Outreach Program, Fall River Police Department, Crime and Justice Institute, United Neighbors of Fall River, Boys & Girls Club, Peaceful Coalition, CD Recreation,YouthBuild, Fall River Juvenile Court, Family Service Association of Massachusetts, SMILES, Fall River YMCA, Bristol County District Attorney, Fall River School Department, Massachusetts State Parole Board, Department of Youth Services, Bristol County Sheriff's Office, and Bristol Workforce Investment Board.

SARGE uses a youth development approach that focuses on developmental outcomes, such as becoming employable or building intellectual ability; achievement outcomes, such as graduating from high school/GED program or getting a job; and problem-free (prevention) outcomes, such as being alcohol- and drug-free or not engaging in violent behavior. SARGE promotes this approach to the overall community in an effort to emphasize how positive youth outcomes will make Fall River a stronger community; without losing sight of the importance of active gang suppression.

Included in the reported measurable outcomes are:

  • Suppression – identified youth list, warrant sweeps, law enforcement activities
  • Social Intervention – street outreach worker activities, out-of-school activities, violence/gang prevention activities
  • Opportunities – educational activities, job placement activities

View a pamphlet (pdf) with descriptions of SARGE partners

Find Fall River resources and additional information at MyFallRiver.org

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