FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — Fall River police executed “Operation Clear Path” Tuesday morning, removing what they called “a colony of criminals” occupying the Quequechan Rail Trail.

This initial operation was intended to clear the trail of debris and to arrest the people encamped in the area.

“Today’s operation focused on removing trespassers, clearing contaminated debris and searching the area for illegal firearms and narcotics,” said the statement from police.

According to the Fall River Police Department (FRPD), the Rodman Street to Brayton Avenue area of the trail was the focus of the operation.

Police said this stretch of the trail has been subject to over 800 calls for service over the past three years.

This includes reports of “sexual assaults, overdoses, robberies, fires, assau

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