The Fall River Police Department released its first-ever mid-year public safety report Tuesday, which revealed that overall violent crime is down across the city.

 

J.T. Hoar, Fall River’s acting police chief, told 12 News the mid-year report is already showing some positive trends.

 

“Right now, in 2026 we’re seeing a downward trend in crime in general,” Hoar said.

 

The 2026 Mid-Year Public Safety Report shows that violent crime is down by more than 11%, and there’s been a 12% decline in confirmed shootings.

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For us a confirmed shooting is defined as when someone has called the police or triggered a police response for a shooting — and then when we get there, there’s evidence that supports that, whether its property damage, there’s a victim, or evidence like shell casings or an actual firearm,” Hoar said.

 

However, the city has seen more homicide victims, with three killed last year and four reported so far in 2026, according to the report.

 

The increase comes from two separate incidents, with the first happening in January when a mother and son were killed on Barnes Street. The second happened June 10 on Aetna Street where two men were brutally killed in an attack involving a pitchfork.

 

“Those raise your stats, but it’s really two incidents with multiple victims,” Hoar explained.

 

Hoar noted that detectives tracked down those murder suspects, and that overall arrests are up by 23%.

 

“Our major crimes division over the last few years takes great pride in solving the most serious crime, which is murder,” he said. “In 2025, they had 100% clearance rate and in 2026 that holds true as well.”