Opinion letter: The city of Fall River that I once loved no longer loves us back

To the city I once loved.

Fall River, the city I once loved, holds a special place in my heart. Born and raised here, I have witnessed the growth and change that has shaped its identity over the years. From the moment I took my first breath in the 80s, to building my life and family here, my loyalty and love for this city remained steadfast.

Fall River is not merely a geographical location to me; it is a living entity, filled with the stories and memories of my ancestors. My family has been a part of this community for four generations. They have all ventured out for college, but our hearts never strayed too far from the city we call home. And even though I chose a different path, forgoing college, Fall River has always welcomed me with open arms.

As with any urban environment, Fall River has seen its share of challenges. It pains me to admit that some of my own decisions led me down dark paths within this city. However, it is here that I also found my road to recovery. The journey has been difficult but Fall River has been my constant companion throughout the highs and lows of life.

I vividly remember the day I bought my first house in Fall River. The excitement and pride I felt as a homeowner was immeasurable. It was a symbol of my commitment to this city and my desire to build a future here. Little did I know that this milestone would mark the beginning of a shift in my perception of the city I once loved.

Safety is a fundamental aspect of any community, and unfortunately, I no longer feel safe in Fall River. It pains me to acknowledge this, as I cherish the memories and experiences that have shaped my love for this city. However, we must confront the reality of the present.

A close friend of mine scraped together every penny she had to purchase a house on County Street, the only one she could afford. In the past year and a half, she has witnessed two murders directly in front of her home. It is a harrowing experience, one that shakes the very foundation of our sense of security.

Even more disheartening is the rise in violence among the youth. It is deeply troubling to witness 15-year-olds attacking adults without any regard for the consequences. I myself was a victim of such violence when I was assaulted by a teenager. Seeking justice, I went to the police to press charges, only to be informed that the court system would do nothing to hold a child accountable for their actions due to their age.

The city I once loved no longer loves us back. It has become a place where criminal activities flourish, and the safety of its citizens is compromised. I acknowledge the efforts of the police force, who work tirelessly to maintain order and protect the community. However, the limitations of the court system prevent them from meeting out justice for heinous acts committed by predators.

I have always believed that if there is a problem, one must bring a solution to the table in order to solve it. It’s easy to complain and point fingers, but it takes effort and determination to make a difference. That’s why, when my son expressed interest in joining the local baseball league, I knew I had to get involved. Little did I know that this decision would uncover a harsh reality about the state of our beloved city. I quickly realized that the volunteers who tirelessly worked to keep Fall River’s youth engaged and active were burdened with an overwhelming amount of work. These selfless individuals dedicated countless hours of their time to ensure that our children had a safe space to learn and grow. They organized practices, games, and fundraisers, all while juggling their own personal and professional responsibilities.

But despite their efforts, they faced an insurmountable obstacle – the control wielded by the parks department. This department, which should have been a partner in nurturing the city’s youth, seemed to be using its authority in ways that were detrimental to the very community it was meant to serve.

One of the most significant issues we encountered was the lack of resources and maintenance for the city’s parks. The once lush, green spaces had turned into desolate, unkempt areas that cost nearly 7,000 of the league’s money. That 7,000 was to fix 2 of the 4 fields. It would have been more cost effective to do all 4 fields at the same time. But the power wilding parks department denied it. One would assume they must be planning to pay to fix our city’s parks. But if you watch the city council meetings the parks department NEVER asks for more money. WHY????

The fact is, this year this league didn’t have baseball. Could the parks department helped to save our beloved Dumont. One will never know. All I know is the people in volunteering did EVERYTHING they could as volunteers.

This wasn’t meant to attack the parks department. It is to bring awareness of how I feel, and I can only assume others feel this way to. So, for me and my family we have sold our beloved home I grew up in, to travel to find a new place to live. Our city seems to not be willing to fix the problem so I will remove my family from the city I once loved.

Kymree Costa