Crime
Numerous people face judge in Fall River District Court after police sweep of Quequechan Rail Trail
Numerous people were arraigned on trespassing charges in Fall River District Court on Tuesday after an early morning police sweep of the Quequechan Rail Trail, in the city’s effort to stem homeless encampments and crime.
Most of the men and women who were arrested in what police dubbed Operation Clear Path were in custody. A few defendants had outstanding warrants, were on probation or faced bail revocation.
A few had their trespassing charges dismissed at the request of the Bristol County District Attorney’s office.
But the majority were released on personal recognizance and on the condition that they not return to the rail trail.
A few defendants were apparently arrested in the sweep in North Park and ordered to stay away from the city property.
During at least one man’s arraignment an assistant district attorney indicated that the defendant had been warned by police six months ago that a trespassing sweep was going to be conducted.
The city’s trespassing ordinance prohibits people from being at the public spaces between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
There is no jail sentence for a trespassing conviction.
