News  Bristol Juvenile Court Probation Officers Help Remove Weapons From the Community at "Guns for Groceries” Events Held in Fall River and New Bedford

Bristol Juvenile Probation Officers participated in a "Guns for Groceries" event on Saturday, November 23rd, at two locations - Fall River and New Bedford - where those with guns were encouraged to exchange them for grocery gift cards. The events took place at the Blessed Trinity Church, 1340 Plymouth Avenue, in Fall River and Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 624 Purchase Street, in New Bedford.

"We had several Probation Officers manning table at the event and they also welcomed individuals and handed out the gift cards," said Christopher Gray, Chief Probation Officer at Bristol County Juvenile Court.

The following Juvenile Probation staff participated at the New Bedford and Fall River sites:

New Bedford location

• PO II Tina Canavan
• PO II Ronald Ferrero
• PO Christopher Fernandes

Fall River location

• ACPO Steven Rebello (floated between both locations)
• PO Dylan DiBlasio
• PO II Denise Taylor

The Police were at both locations and were in charge of handling the firearms and weapons that were exchanged for grocery and gift cards, according to Chief Gray.

This year, the Juvenile Probation Department and the Fall River and New Bedford Police Departments collected 229 guns (firearms and BB guns), a significant amount of ammunition, and other weapons such as Samurai swords, according to Chief Gray.

In 2022, Bristol Juvenile Probation Officers assisted in the collection of 80 guns, 1,000 rounds of ammunition, and other weapons that were exchanged. These items were turned over to the New Bedford and Fall River Police departments. As in the past, this was a collaborative effort between Bristol County Juvenile Probation, community partners and other local and state agencies.