Public Safety & Law Enforcement

The Grand Jury investigation into the April 4, 2008 fatal stabbing of 30-year-old Joshua Fitzgerald and the non-fatal stabbings of Patrick Fitzgerald, 25, and Robert Williams, 35, has been completed. The incident occurred outside the VFW in Fairhaven during a hip hop show.

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office and New Bedford Police Department have concluded their investigation into the deaths of two fishermen who died on January 22, 2008.  This joint investigation has determined that the cause and manner of deaths of both fishermen were the result of accidental drowning.

North Dartmouth, MA- UMass Dartmouth has launched myAlert, a new emergency notification system that will instantly transmit a text or voice message to the cell phones of students, faculty and staff in the event of a major emergency.

New Bedford, Massachusetts- After city officials learned federal monies awarded to New Bedford for the Fishermen’s Safety Training Program had been fully expended, the New Bedford Harbor Development Commission came forward with the necessary funds to support the next round of safety training to continue the critical program.  Since its establishment in 2005, the Fishermen’s Safety Training Program has taught more than 850 enrollees essential safety procedures including firefighting, emergency communications, damage control, life raft use, emergency flares, immersion suit use, and helicopter hoist procedures.

New Bedford, Massachusetts - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded an $83,000 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to New Bedford Emergency Medical Services.

The last week in March saw two ground-breaking meetings in New Bedford underscore a common message: Working together, we can make our cities safer places to live and work...

New Bedford, Massachusetts – An escaped fugitive that had been sought for nearly (2) weeks was captured today by Trooper David Reis of the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS). Anthony FLYE was arrested on Route 6 in Westport as FLYE was hitchhiking westerly towards Fall River this afternoon around 2:15 PM after a Deputy United States Marshal, who was working with Trooper Reis in the Westport area where FLYE was believed to be, contacted Trooper Reis and informed him of a hitchhiker that could be FLYE.

Anthony Flye, a dangerous fugitve, on the lamb since March 25th has been captured by Massachusetts State troopers in Westport, MA.

SEE VIDEO

New Bedford, Massachusetts  – New Bedford Police Narcotics Detectives arrested eight separate individuals charging them with Trafficking in Cocaine, Heroin and/or Marijuana during the month of March as a result of several independent narcotics investigations conducted by various detectives.

District Attorney Sam Sutter announced today that Louis Gonzalez, 21, of 480 Tecumseh St., Fall River, was convicted in New Bedford Superior Court on various illegal firearm and drug distribution charges. He was ordered to serve four to five years in a state prison, to be followed by 18 months of probation.

New Bedford, Massachusetts - Each summer, the City of New Bedford Department of Recreation hires certified lifeguards to staff New Bedford’s East and West Municipal Beaches.  This month, the Recreation Department will offer a Lifeguard Certification Program to qualifying New Bedford residents.  Once certified as lifeguards, individuals are eligible to apply for one of the summer municipal lifeguard positions.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - Southcoast RAPPP Youth Council will be hosting a community briefing on the dangers of under-age drinking on Thursday, April 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Keith Middle School, Hathaway Boulevard in New Bedford.

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office is proud to announce plans for the first annual “Hear My Voice” event to commemorate National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Jeff Beatty was greeting by an enthusiastic audience in New Bedford's Wamsutta Club on Friday March 28th. Locals eager to hear about his campaign to unseat long time incumbent John Kerry from his US Senate seat in this coming election... This is a 5 part video of the entire meeting.

Nelson Hockert-Lotz provides perspective on a Saint Patrick's week trip to New Bedford by a delegation of Irish politicians. Understanding the Peace and Reconciliation that has occurred between Northern Ireland's Catholics and Protestants can offer insight and a model for reconciliation in our home town of New Bedford...

On the Monday of a week that would see the fifth anniversary of the start of the Iraq war, and a major speech about race in America by Barack Obama, two mayors from Northern Ireland laid wreaths at the Irish monument on East Rodney French Boulevard in an extraordinary gesture of reconciliation. It was St. Patrick's Day, and the remembrance of Irish struggles for dignity and independence were ever present, but so, too, was a new message, one of working together and moving on.

Marshall was convicted today during a jury-waived trial in front of New Bedford District Court Judge Joseph Macy. Marshall was found guilty of carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm, and possession of marijuana. Judge Macy sentenced Mr. Marshall to serve 18 months in jail for the carrying an illegal firearm charge and then sentenced Mr. Marshall to serve an additional 30 months in jail on the carrying a loaded firearm charge.

A New Bedford couple was arrested today just after 3:30 PM while attempting to commit an armed robbery at the R & B Liquor Store located at 189 Belleville Avenue. Patrick SILVA (40) and his girlfriend Danielle CAMBRA (21) both of 21 Jean Street in New Bedford were charged with: (1) Attempted Armed Robbery; (2) Attempts to Commit a Crime (Armed Robbery); and, (3) Using a Vehicle in the Commission of a Felony.

A potentially dangerous man facing charges of child rape, indecent exposure, and indecent assault and battery of a disabled person escaped from custody today while at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford.

New Bedford, Massachusetts - The New Bedford H.O.P.E. Collaborative announced today it will be the local host for the upcoming Charles E. Shannon Jr. Community Safety Initiative Spring 2008 Technical Assistance Meeting, sponsored by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Northeastern University.  This meeting will consist of a series of workshops where Shannon Grant partners from across the state will discuss their best practices and most effective strategies with regard to youth violence and gang prevention.

District Attorney Sam Sutter announced today that Fagbemi Miranda, 30, of 439 Purchase St., was arrested and charged with murder, unlawful carrying of a firearm without a license and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

NEW BEDFORD, MA – New Bedford Mayor Scott W. Lang today invited city residents, community agencies and local officials to officially acknowledge National Community Development Week.

The New Bedford Police Department in conjunction with the Massachusetts State Police and the United States Marshal’s Office made a significant arrest of a wanted fugitive today at 8 Jean St - 3rd floor, South apartment in New Bedford.

A full-scale emergency operations exercise involving state, local, and regional public safety agencies will take place Thursday, March 20 at UMass Dartmouth, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The exercise will attract numerous police, fire and EMS professionals and vehicles, possibly including a helicopter, to the campus during the morning hours.

Mayor Scott W. Lang delivered his third State of the City Address on March 6th to a packed house at Cafe Funchal. The address was broadcast live on WBSM AM 1420 and is now presented here in audio MP3 format (5MB). This recording of the event is approximately 45 minutes long. Hosted by the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce.

Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter makes his monthly appearance on New Bedford radio station WBSM 1420 AM. Callers ask Sam Sutter about local crime related issues and cases.

Saunders was indicted by a Bristol County Grand Jury on February 28 on felony charges of threatening bodily harm, enticing a child under 16, indecent assault and battery of a child under 14, indecent assault and battery of a child under 14-subsequent offense and rape of a child with force.

“Every time my office brings a petition seeking to hold someone in custody because they are sexually dangerous, we do so because we strongly believe that the public needs to be protected from this person,” Sutter said. “The Corey Saunders and David Flavell cases show that more individuals need to be held under the sexually dangerous persons statute in order to protect the public.”

At a Feb. 19th press conference in New Bedford, MA, Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter presents news and information on the recent charging of George Duarte for the New Year's Day murder of Edwin Medina. (3 Part video clip - approx 25 minutes).

Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter announced that Timothy Cassidy was indicted by a Bristol County Grand Jury on one charge of first degree murder.

New Bedford, Massachusetts- Mayor Scott W. Lang announced today he has submitted a new city ordinance to the City Council for consideration that would create “safety zones” or specific public areas in the City of New Bedford where child sex offenders are prohibited and also would establish criminal penalties for individuals who violate this ordinance. 

READ THE MAYOR'S LETTER TO NEW BEDFORD CITY COUNCIL AND SEE A COPY OF THE ORDINANCE