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In a heated exchange during this morning’s Channel 10 debate, Fall River mayoral challenger Gabriel Boomer Amaral took aim at the current administration’s transparency on public safety issues. Amaral claimed that Police Chief Kelly Furtado, appointed under Mayor Paul Coogan’s administration, had failed to publish the latest crime statistics for the city.
A review of public records confirms Amaral’s claim was accurate at the time it was made. The Fall River Police Department’s official website had been displaying only the 2023 annual crime report, despite being well into October 2025. The department had not published any crime data for the entirety of 2024, creating a significant gap in public information about safety trends in the city.
The timing of the missing report raises questions about transparency in the current administration. Annual crime statistics serve as critical tools for both policymakers and residents to understand public safety trends, evaluate police performance, and make informed decisions about community safety measures.
In an unexpected development, shortly after this fact-check was initially compiled and following direct communication with Mayor Coogan, the 2024 crime report suddenly appeared on the department’s Crime Statistics page. This rapid response suggests the administration moved quickly to address the criticism raised during the debate.
The delayed publication of crime data has become a focal point in Fall River’s increasingly contentious mayoral race. Amaral has positioned himself as a reform candidate, frequently criticizing what he describes as lack of transparency in the current administration. Mayor Coogan, seeking re-election, has generally defended his public safety record throughout the campaign.
Fall River, a city of approximately 94,000 residents in Bristol County, Massachusetts, has struggled with various crime issues in recent years, making accurate and timely reporting of crime statistics particularly relevant to voters. The industrial city has worked to revitalize its economy while addressing public safety challenges typical of post-industrial New England communities.
The publication of crime statistics is not merely a bureaucratic formality. These reports provide crucial insights into various categories of criminal activity, from violent crime to property offenses, and help establish accountability between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Many municipalities publish such data quarterly or even monthly, making the nearly year-long delay in Fall River particularly notable.
Chief Furtado, who was appointed by Mayor Coogan in 2023, has not publicly commented on the delay in publishing the statistics. The police department typically compiles these reports using standardized methodology to track incidents across various categories of crime, allowing for year-over-year comparisons and analysis of trends.
The sudden addition of the 2024 report following the debate highlights the political sensitivity surrounding crime data in an election year. Public safety consistently ranks among the top concerns for Fall River voters, according to recent polling, making crime statistics a potential flashpoint in the mayoral contest.
Municipal transparency advocates have frequently cited timely publication of crime data as an essential component of good governance. Such information allows residents to make informed decisions about everything from where to live to how to vote in local elections.
As the mayoral race enters its final weeks, both candidates are likely to continue sparring over public safety records and transparency issues. Amaral’s accurate claim about the missing crime statistics, even if now remedied, may continue to resonate with voters concerned about accountability in city government.
For residents seeking to review the newly published 2024 crime report, it is now available on the Fall River Police Department’s official website, where it can be compared with previous years’ data to evaluate trends in public safety across the city.
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11 Comments
This is a concerning revelation about the lack of transparency around crime data in Fall River. Accurate, timely reporting is essential for residents, policymakers and law enforcement to understand local public safety trends. I hope the administration takes this issue seriously and commits to more robust data publishing going forward.
It’s troubling to hear that the Fall River Police Department has not been publishing timely crime data as required. This lack of transparency raises red flags and undermines public trust. Kudos to Candidate Amaral for calling attention to this issue – the administration needs to address it urgently.
Absolutely. Residents deserve to have access to the full picture of public safety in their community. Withholding or selectively reporting this critical data is unacceptable. I hope the city takes swift action to remedy this situation and restore transparency.
As a concerned resident, I’m glad Mayoral Candidate Amaral called attention to this apparent lack of transparency around crime data. Hiding or withholding important public safety information is unacceptable. The administration needs to address this issue promptly.
Agreed. Residents deserve to have a clear, complete picture of what’s happening in their community. Partial or selective reporting undermines trust in local government. I hope the city takes steps to improve transparency around this critical data.
Transparency on public safety data is critical for residents and policymakers. It’s concerning if the Fall River Police Department has failed to publish timely crime statistics as required. This raises questions about accountability and the public’s right to information.
Kudos to Mayoral Candidate Amaral for calling out this apparent lack of transparency. Citizens deserve accurate, up-to-date data to understand local crime trends and make informed decisions.
The timing of the missing crime report is indeed suspicious. Residents have a right to know what’s happening in their community. Hopefully the administration addresses this gap in data publishing promptly and commits to more transparent reporting going forward.
I agree, the public deserves to see the full data picture, not just the selective annual reports. Transparency is key for effective community policing and public safety planning.
This is a concerning issue if true. Accurate, timely crime data is essential for residents, policymakers and law enforcement to understand public safety trends and make informed decisions. I hope the city quickly resolves this reporting gap and commits to more transparent practices.
This is a serious issue if the police department has truly failed to publish crime statistics for an entire year. Transparency around public safety data is essential for both policymakers and the public. I hope the administration investigates this matter thoroughly and commits to more robust reporting going forward.