Apathy is the main problem with New Bedford, not crime

If I was forced to describe New Bedford in one word, I would select apathetic. Apathy is defined as “lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern,” and that describes much of the New Bedford population very accurately. It’s the root cause of most of New Bedford’s problems, especially crime.

First, there is an extreme lack of interest in politics in New Bedford. While most voting age residents are registered to vote, very few do and most politicians from the municipal to the state level run unopposed. When was the last time someone ran against Tony Cabral or Mark Montigny? In 2013, New Bedford mayor Jon Mitchell ran unopposed. Most of your ward City Councillors run unopposed or face weak opposition. How do you expect things to change if the leadership doesn’t?

Second, while New Bedford residents are very concerned about crime on social media, there is a large segment of the population that looks away when crime occurs. “No snitching” is a problem in the worst neighborhoods of the city. The bigger issue of drugs, prostitution and violent crime have become an acceptable way of life on some streets. The police and politicians can only do so much – residents stepping up to clean their own streets is the only true way to clean up a bad neighborhood.

Third, while there are some great residents that step up to make their community better, too many don’t. Complaining on social media about a dirty street is easier than actually organizing and participating in a clean up. It seems to be the same amazing people that organize and participate in the clean ups and the same people that complain on social media while doing nothing impact in real life.

Fourth, too many New Bedford parents lack interest in their children’s lives. Too many teenagers are out late at night past responsible hours and very few parents show up to important school meetings. It’s embarrassing seeing a dozen parents at New Bedford High School public forums with a student body of over 2,000 students. Involved parents and keeping kids active in healthy activities are the only real ways to prevent kids hanging out with the wrong crowds.

Finally, once the citizens and police do their job, it’s up to the judges that sit in the New Bedford court rooms to take sentencing seriously. No criminal fears the New Bedford judicial system, it’s one big joke. It’s tough to convince people in bad neighborhoods to report crime if the judges just release them the next day. It’s the good people in the bad neighborhoods that have to live with the criminals and the revenge they take on “snitches.”

Remove the apathy from New Bedford and you’ll remove much of the crime. When our youth have involved parents, adults are active in their political process, judges take sentencing seriously, and residents take pride in their neighborhood, things will improve.