Violent Crime Down in New Bedford      

August 23, 2005

Mayor Kalisz said, "As a community we have worked hard to build the partnerships necessary to address violence on our streets.During the past two years, I have brought to our city every law enforcement resource available. The DEA, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, State Police Gang Unit, Sheriff, N.B.P.D. and other law enforcement agencies are working co-operatively within our city. Today, we have more police patrolling our neighborhoods than at any time in my administration. Additionally, working with the District Attorney and with the U.S. Attorney, we are prosecuting some 23 criminals in Federal Court to obtain stiffer sentences.

Significant results are being achieved. In the past two years we have seized over 470 weapons of all sorts from our streets including more than 170 firearms. In the past 12 months we have made over 9,304 arrests. The New Bedford Police Department and State Police Gang unit that began operation last May have made 329 Gang related arrests seizing 18 handguns and other weapons. In the last few weeks alone, we arrested 36 drug dealers from our streets.

Two years ago we had 13 homicides. This year, to date, we have had 5 of which 3 are gang and or drug related. There has been a significant reduction in shots fired and other street violence. At a time when many communities such as Boston are experiencing a soaring murder rate and increase in gang related violence, we have made strides in New Bedford compared to two years ago.

Earlier this year I worked with Representative Stephen R. Canessa of the House and Senator Jarrett T. Barrios, Chairman of the Committee on Public Safety to draft a Gang Bill to provide law enforcement with additional tools to fight Gang violence. The bill was co-sponsored by Senator Montigny and members of our House delegation and provides long prison terms for criminals carrying illegal guns, witness intimidation penalties and a witness protection program. Our legislative delegation is working to move this bill through the legislative process. We need the rest of the Legislature to join them in passing this bill now and we need a commitment from the Governor to sign the bill once its reaches his desk.

During the past months we have worked with our community groups to host Neighborhood Family Days across our city, we have provided transportation to Boston to the families of victims so that they could speak out on behalf of the gang bill, we are working with landlords across our city and we are sponsoring nightly events to get kids off the streets.

Earlier this month, I met with representatives of the ownership and management of United Front Homes to discuss my concerns with public safety. As a result of my intervention, MassHousing released $25,000.00 to be used to assist United Front Homes to address security concerns. In a frank and forthright discussion, I pledged to assist the leaders of United Fronts Homes as they continue their efforts to improve the quality of lives of their residents. We will continue to enhance our police presence in this area and throughout our city."

Mayor Kalisz said while there is still work to do, the community is making headway in the fight against crime.   "These actions that I have mentioned are just some of the aggressive measures we've taken to get thugs off the streets of New Bedford.   Scaring the public with unsubstantiated political rhetoric for political gain is a slap in the face to those who are working so hard to stem the tide of violent crime in this community."