By: Gregg M. Miliote, Herald News Staff Reporter

FALL RIVER - Police Chief John M. Souza Monday announced a number of new initiatives to tackle crime problems at the city's housing projects.

During the past four months, public housing complexes have been home to two homicides, a major federal drug trafficking probe and various other drug-, gang- and gun-related crimes. Although he argued the perception of problems at housing projects has far-exceeded the reality of the situation, Souza said he has a responsibility to the residents who claim to be in fear.

In an effort to quell that fear, the chief has established a new Street Crimes Unit that will consist of a sergeant and four detectives. He said their assignment will be to focus solely on criminal activity within the housing projects.

"Working closely with our Housing Unit and the sergeant in charge, as well as managers of the developments, this unit will develop intelligence needed to locate and remove criminals that do not belong in these developments and secure search warrants to rid these developments of guns and drugs," Souza said.

Souza also said he will assign 14 officers from the department's Community Policing Division to work alongside the Housing Police Unit. He said the city and department will use grant money and "discretionary funds" to make sure the 14 officers can continue to stay connected to their respective neighborhoods. Souza, though, conceded he "could always use more officers."

The chief also said the Housing Unit will begin a "stop and knock" campaign where his officers will begin randomly knocking on doors "to assure that occupants can feel safe within their homes and share information."

"The vast majority of people who live in our housing developments are law- abiding citizens," Souza said. "The recent focus on these developments, however, has brought the director of housing and I together in partnership to strategize on how to assure the safety and well-being of tenants throughout the city."

Souza also eschewed any thought that he may reach out to Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson for help patrolling the city's public housing developments.

Some residents, mayoral candidates and city councilors have recently called on Souza and Mayor Edward M. Lambert Jr. to invite Hodgson to help offset the police department's patrols.

Hodgson said last Friday that he is "ready and willing" to assist police in any way he can, but said he would not come into Fall River unless invited. Souza Monday said that invitation will not be coming.

"This is deja vu all over again," Souza said, referring to previous calls for the sheriff's help after a series of gang-related incidents in Corky Row. "I think we have some proactive policies that we've developed here."

The initiatives are in response to the recent slaying of a 15-year-old boy at Bennie Costa Plaza. Souza was joined at the press conference by Housing Authority Executive Director Tom Collins.

Collins could not answer questions as to how the Housing Authority checks criminal backgrounds of individuals who may not be local residents. He would only say the authority "selectively" uses criminal background programs offered by services like Intelius.

Mayor Edward M. Lambert Jr. later clarified what Collins meant by "selectively," saying the Housing Authority does background checks on applicants who are from outside Fall River.

The Housing Authority, however, does not have a contract with Intelius or a service provider like it.

Collins said some housing managers and clerks have been reassigned, but said little about the reasons for such a shake-up or how they would affect the authority's ability to make its neighborhoods safer.

"Some people get too comfortable," Collins said.

Collins said his office has begun to close off access to basements in housing complexes, will repair security lighting and look into adding new security cameras.

When asked, Lambert called the new police policies regarding public housing "innovative suggestions," and said the cooperative efforts should improve public safety for all residents.

"Our public housing developments, and the many law-abiding people who reside in them, are just as entitled to our best efforts at safety and protection as any neighborhood in our city," Lambert said. "I applaud Chief Souza and Mr. Collins for working seriously, just as they always have, to find new ways to collaborate and utilize resources to the best interest of our residents."

The Monday afternoon press conference at police headquarters was attended by mayoral candidates David B. Sullivan, Robert A. Correia, Bradford L. Kilby, Alfredo P. Alves, Eric M. Poulin and William Whitty.

City Councilors Ray Hague, Leo O. Pelletier and Patricia Casey were also in attendance.