“Police Chief Michael Jenkins and Fire Chief Timothy M. Harhen say that the East Bridgewater Police and Fire Departments are investigating after a local church was vandalized and a fire was set on Friday.

One or more people are believed to have entered St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church at 210 Central St. during the middle of the day. Most of the damage took place near the altar, where a fire was set that burned the altar cloth and a Bible.

“There is no place for this type of incident in East Bridgewater, no matter the denomination,” Police Chief Jenkins said. “We are working with the parish to determine how this happened, and why. We ask that anyone with information please step forward.”

East Bridgewater Police Department photo.

East Bridgewater police and fire units were dispatched to the church at about 3:40 p.m. During their initial investigation, first responders learned that the parish pastor smelled smoke at about 3:30 p.m. and went inside. Investigators observed that the fire around the altar had been put out with a fire extinguisher, based on the yellow, difficult-to-remove powder seen throughout the front of the church.

Investigators subsequently determined that a water jug was removed from the water dispenser in the adjacent sacristy. Investigators believe the suspect or suspects attempted to douse the fire with the water, then used the fire extinguisher when that failed.

At the front of the church, the entrant lit the votive candles and left used matches littered nearby.

East Bridgewater Police Department photo.

Investigators determined that the suspect or suspects took items from the food pantry, dropping some items as they exited through the rear entrance.

An employee was at the food pantry at 2 p.m. and did not notice any damage or smoke, so police believe the incident happened between 2 p.m. and 3:40 p.m.

An investigation by the East Bridgewater Police and Fire Departments, with assistance from the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit attached to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, remains ongoing.

Investigators ask any neighbors or residents who have information about this incident to call East Bridgewater Police at 508-378-7223. Investigators also ask residents to look out for anyone wearing clothing or shoes with yellow fire retardant powder, which is not removed easily.”-East Bridgewater Fire Department.

East Bridgewater Police Department photo.

Argues For a More Deliberate Approach to Commercial Fishing Regulation in Marine Monument Areas.

New Bedford, MA – Mayor Jon Mitchell was invited by the U.S. House of Representatives to submit written testimony to the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations in conjunction with a recent Congressional hearing entitled “Examining Barriers to Access in Federal Waters: A Closer Look at the Marine Sanctuary and Monument System.”

In his written submission, the Mayor explained why the federal government’s approach to fisheries management within the recently designated marine monuments matters to New Bedford’s commercial fishing fleet–the top-grossing fleet in the nation: “The management of marine fisheries in federal waters within the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument is a matter of vital importance to the Port of New Bedford, Massachusetts – America’s top-valued commercial fishing port.”

The Mayor encouraged Subcommittee members to take into account the unique role that New Bedford plays nationally in commercial fishing, saying “Our harbor serves not only the needs of the vessels that call New Bedford their home port, but also the needs of numerous East Coast vessels from North Carolina to Maine which land their catch in our port at different times during each fishing season. \The proper management of our nation’s marine fisheries is therefore crucial to the vitality of our port and our local and regional economy, but also to the nation, as we service the needs of an industry whose vessels operate up and down nearly the entirety of the East Coast.”

Mitchell noted that the Port and the City of New Bedford’s position has been consistent since 2016 when the proposal for a Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument originated. In the years following 2016, Mayor Mitchell has continued to argue for a more deliberate process to establish marine monuments, including providing in-person testimony before the U.S. House Natural Resources on Water, Power, and Oceans. (Copies of Mayor Mitchell’s previous 2016 testimony are available upon request.)

The Port and City maintain that marine fisheries in federal waters everywhere, including in national monuments, should be managed under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery and Conservation Management Act (MSA), the 169-page long legal instrument governing marine fisheries management in U.S. federal waters. The MSA, originally enacted in 1976, has been amended and improved by several Congresses in its nearly 50-year history and is considered by many worldwide to be the ‘gold standard’ for fisheries management.

The Mayor explained how the current commercial fishing ban imposed under the authority of the Antiquities Act contrasts with the science-based, inclusive regulatory processes established by Magnuson-Stevens. The Mayor described how the current ban in marine monument waters creates multiple difficulties for affected fisheries, including:

• In years when highly migratory species, such as swordfish and tuna, are traversing the monument region, our longline fishermen are likely to be unable to harvest their internationally negotiated quotes.

• Harvesters targeting quid, butterfish, and other fisheries are forced to travel for hours across the monument unable to fish until they exit the far side of the monument passing schools of these species so that they can easily see in the monument waters. This wastes time and fuel, and unnecessarily increases their carbon footprint.

• Although the Atlantic scallop industry (the most valuable federally managed wild-caught fishery in the nation) does not operate in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, the commercial fishing ban is moving the offshore lobster industry from the region and leaving them nowhere to go except onto scallop grounds, creating a potential for conflict between fisheries.

The Atlantic red crab industry, which is sustainable and has brought an underutilized species to market, relieving pressure on over-exploited species can no longer be harvested in areas where they have been successfully harvested for decades.

Mayor Mitchell summarized his view for the Subcommittee members, saying “For all of these reasons, I remain convinced that fisheries management under existing Magnuson-Stevens authority, is the most sensible approach to managing fishing activity within the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.”

“NEW BEDFORD – Detectives seized over 900 grams of cocaine from a local man yesterday afternoon.

On Wednesday, October 5th, detectives concluded an investigation into a cocaine distribution operation being run by Mr. TRAVIS MELLO, 31, out of Nemasket Pl. At around 4 PM, detectives located MELLO operating a vehicle in the area of Rockdale Ave. and Dartmouth St. While attempting to stop him, MELLO fled at a high rate of speed, recklessly traveling deeper into the south end with detectives chasing him. After blowing a tire, the vehicle came to a stop in the area of George St. where MELLO then fled on foot before being stopped and secured in a nearby yard.

Detectives later made an entry into MELLO’s Nemasket St. residence where a search was conducted. As a result, over 930 grams of cocaine was discovered along with cutting agent, scales, and packaging materials. Over $2500 in cash was found and seized as a result of the nature of his charges. MELLO was taken into custody and charged with trafficking in excess of 200 grams of cocaine and failing to stop for police among other charges.

MELLO was already wanted in connection with a drug transaction that had taken place in early August during which he sold crack cocaine to an individual in a pharmacy parking lot. He was charged with the distribution of crack cocaine and conspiracy to violate the Controlled Substance Act regarding that incident. MELLO has an extensive criminal history with 60 adult arraignments, nearly half of which have been dismissed by New Bedford district court judges. MELLO has previous convictions for distribution of cocaine, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and trafficking a controlled substance.

Det. Jordan DaSilva was the lead investigator on this case and the arresting officer.

If you have any information you would like to share with the police, you can do so anonymously by visiting our website, newbedfordpd.com, or by calling 508-99-CRIME.”-City of New Bedford Police Department.

City of New Bedford Police Department photo.,/center>

President Joe Biden “better start paying attention” to the emergency shelter crisis straining Massachusetts and other states and cities, House Speaker Ron Mariano said Wednesday while signaling he still has not gotten the information he wants from the Healey administration about the costs of the situation.

Three weeks after Gov. Maura Healey filed a more than $2 billion spending bill to close the state’s books on fiscal year 2023, Mariano said the chairs of each Ways and Means Committee are “negotiating the closeout supp now.”

The negotiations are preceding debate and amendments to the bill in both branches.

Healey proposed drawing down $250 million from a reserve account to cover emergency shelter costs, which have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels amid record demand on the state’s system, much of it fueled by new arrivals to the country.

“Again, we’ve been waiting for numbers … some sort of framework to surround the cost. We haven’t got it yet,” Mariano told reporters after an unrelated bill-signing event. “So we’re still up in the air about: is $250 (million) way too much, or is $250 million nowhere near enough?”

“We’re going to be talking to some of the Washington folks, too,” he added. “There are a lot of questions that we’ve been asking, and we need to get some answers before we can frame any sort of commitment of payment.”

Healey for weeks has been unsuccessfully pushing for the Biden administration to expedite work authorizations for newly arrived migrants and make federal funding available to offset some of the costs states bear.

Asked if he wanted the Biden administration to establish a point person to coordinate with Massachusetts, Mariano replied, “The guy’s running for president. He better start paying attention to this.”

“BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the award of over $3.6 million in grant funds to 52 local police departments for the implementation or expansion of body-worn camera programs in communities across Massachusetts.

Now in its third year, the Law Enforcement Body-Worn Camera Program awarded $3,610,598.95 to support municipal police agencies’ purchase of body-worn camera equipment and data storage during Fiscal Year 2024. The state-funded program is managed by the Office of Grants and Research, a state agency that is part of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

“These grants provide local police agencies with resources to implement technology that strengthens police-community relations while improving investigations and advancing the fundamental principles of transparency and accountability,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This investment reflects our Administration’s commitment to increasing public safety, promoting best practices among law enforcement, and nurturing strong relationships between police and the communities they serve.”

“Body-worn cameras are a transformative tool that promotes police transparency and accountability, enhances community trust, and positively impacts the quality of investigations,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “These grants underscore our Administration’s commitment to creating safer communities and supporting municipalities with the resources needed to deliver exemplary police services.”

“Body-worn camera programs provide law enforcement agencies with an important tool to improve training and advance best practices. This grant program and the resulting technology implementation will improve safety for police and communities statewide,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Terrence Reidy. “As a growing number of departments launch or expand body-worn camera programs, this funding has become a vital resource for police departments across the state.”

“Creating safe communities requires ensuring that our local police departments have the resources necessary to meet the needs of their communities and their officers. The Law Enforcement Body-Worn Camera Program aims to promote officer safety and the security of the towns and cities they serve,” said OGR Executive Director Kevin Stanton.

The following departments on the South Coast received funding through the FY24 Law Enforcement Body-Worn Camera Program:

• Fall River Police Department
$7,400.00

• Marion Police Department
$42,530.00

• New Bedford Police Department
$250,000.00″

“Wednesday afternoon at 3:00pm, the New Bedford Fire Department responded to Tripp Towers at 12 Ruth Street for an automatic fire alarm activation.

This occupancy is a ten-story high rise containing almost two-hundred apartments. Crews initially began investigating a light smoke condition but quickly determined a pest control contractor was conducting a fumigation operation. The building’s ventilation system pulled in product from the fumigating.

Fire crews evacuated the lower three floors and the upper seven floors were able to remain sheltered in their apartments after the building’s ventilation system had been turned off. Continuous air monitoring and metering was conducted on all floors by the NBFD. The displaced residents were transported to the Fort Taber Community Center with assistance from SERTA and Tremblay Bus and New Bedford Emergency Management.

At this time, six residents have been transported to St. Luke’s Hospital for noncritical conditions and evaluation.

The State Hazardous Materials Team has made entry into the basement to assist ventilation operations and air monitoring. NBFD personnel are continuing air monitoring to ensure the environment is safe for the remaining residents. They have also assisted displaced residents by retrieving their pets and medications.

Fire crews remained engaged until the air quality in the entire building is safe and the displaced residents had been returned to their apartments.

NBEMS received numerous mutual aid ambulances and they’re remaining on scene. NBEMA and NBPD are also assisting on scene. The Providence Canteen is on scene providing rehab services to the residents and responders.

The Fire Prevention Bureau is also on scene investigating this incident.”-New Bedford Fire Department.

All photos by the New Bedford Fire Department:

“A Chelsea man was arrested yesterday for allegedly selling fraudulent Social Security cards and Legal Permanent Resident cards, often referred to as “Green Cards.”

Wilberto Sandoval Mazariego, 40, was charged with one count of unlawful transfer of a document or authentication feature. Sandoval Mazariego was arrested near his residence yesterday and, following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston, was detained pending a hearing set for Oct. 5, 2023.

According to the charging documents, during an investigation into Tomas Xirum for selling fraudulent Green Cards and fraudulent Social Security cards, law enforcement allegedly identified Sandoval Mazariego as the creator of the fraudulent documents Xirum was selling. Following Xirum’s arrest in August 2022, law enforcement allegedly found a text message string between Xirum and Sandoval Mazariego that contained approximately 568 attachments. It is alleged that in the messages, Xirum would regularly text Sandoval Mazariego pictures of unknown persons along with a name, date of birth and country of birth – to which Sandoval Mazariego would later respond with pictures of Social Security cards and/or Green Cards with the person’s photo and information that Xirum provided.

On Aug. 17, 2023, Sandoval Mazariego allegedly sold a fraudulent Green Card and a fraudulent Social Security card to an undercover agent.

On Aug. 21, 2023, Xirum pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawful transfer of document or authentication feature and three counts of unlawful production of document or authentication feature. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 11, 2024.

The charge of unlawful transfer of document or authentication feature and unlawful production of document or authentication feature provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), a specialized investigative group comprising personnel from various state, local, and federal agencies with expertise in detecting, deterring, and disrupting organizations and individuals involved in various types of document, identity, and benefit fraud schemes.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.” -Massachusetts Department of Justice.

“We set out for ‘Boots’ via dog and drone Hawkeye Aerial Systems. Ultimately he was found by our cadaver recovery dog and didn’t make it. He was eaten by coyotes, all we found was random body parts. Rest in peace boots.

It never gets easier to recover an animal this way for me. Please consider keeping cats indoors..I’m not going to shame you outdoor cat people but please beware this can happen and no cat is exempt from this demise.”-Wandering Paws K9.

Wandering Paws K9 photo.

“As part of the continuing effort to modernize and professionalize municipal government, the City has launched a Leadership Institute so that department heads and senior managers refine skills needed to be more effective in their roles.

The initiative, managed by the Personnel Office with support from AllOne Health Employee Assistance Program (EAP), will provide city managers with professional development training through a series of six seminars over the next several months, with additional classes planned for Spring 2024.

Topics include:

• Creating a Culture of Excellence: The Role of Leadership
• Moving from Manager to Leader: Inspiring Trust
• Creating Vision
• Executing Strategy
• Coach Potential
• The Role of Leadership in Navigating Change: A Leadership Roundtable

“The Leadership Institute will be a valuable and useful initiative for our managers,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “Although similar programs are common in large corporations, they are relatively rare in municipal government. I am pleased that this important leadership training is being offered to our department heads and managers.”

In addition to the leadership institute, the Mitchell Administration has pursued wide-ranging reforms across city government to bring municipal services into the 21st century and modernize the way local government serves its residents.

Examples include:

• The establishment of “The New Bedford Way,” the statement of city government’s organizational values.
• The establishment of the positions of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer.
• Consolidation of municipal departments.
• Reforms of the budgeting process that have resulted in the City’s receiving the GFOA award for nine years running.
• The establishment of a See-Click-Fix app for municipal services.
• Reform of the City’s procurement process.
• Soon, the establishment of a city-wide 311 system.
• A citywide performance management initiative in which all city departments establish operational goals based on extensive data collection and analysis.
• A performance contracting partnership with Siemens Corporation which allowed the City to finance and retrofit municipal buildings with energy efficiency measures, modern heating and cooling systems, and climate controls. The partnership with Siemens Corporation also allowed the City to replace street lights citywide with high-efficiency LED fixtures.
• The installation of one of the largest municipal solar initiatives, adjusted for population, anywhere in the United States. In all, ten major solar projects totaling more than $60 million in privately financed construction are saving City taxpayers nearly $1 million annually.

“Developing the leadership skills of municipal managers is fundamentally about providing better city services,” said Mayor Mitchell. “It is also a prime example of the kind of improvements we have been introducing to city government so that we operate more effectively, more efficiently, and ultimately put ourselves in a position to deliver more for our residents.”

Mitchell added, “I also want to thank our Personnel Director Judi Keating and Katie Gilfeather of AllOne Health who both were instrumental in developing the Leadership Institute.””

“*Note: This video contains graphic imagery and language*

LAKEVILLE — Chief Matthew Perkins reports that the Lakeville Police Department is releasing body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that took place early Friday morning, Sept. 29. See the original story here.

The video begins as the Lakeville officer activates his body-worn camera while getting out of his cruiser and commanding the suspect to put down his weapon.

The suspect has been identified as TIMOTHY HLADIK, AGE 45, of LAKEVILLE, and is facing several charges. He was arraigned at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford on Monday, Oct. 2.

Lakeville Police Body Cam Footage – Sept. 29, 2023 from John Guilfoil Public Relations on Vimeo.

At approximately 3:45 a.m. Friday, Sept. 29, a Lakeville Police officer was monitoring traffic near the intersection of Precinct and Pickens streets. HLADIK allegedly approached the officer and confronted him, displaying what appeared to be a handgun. The officer drew his service weapon, got out of the cruiser and retreated behind his cruiser, and ordered HLADIK to drop the weapon multiple times. HLADIK did not comply.

During the confrontation, an off-duty Massachusetts state trooper was driving by and stopped to render assistance to the officer.

During the exchange, HLADIK repeatedly used threatening language, and then allegedly took an aggressive stance and raised the weapon. At this time, fearing for their safety, both officers fired, striking HLADIK. The officers secured the suspect’s weapon, which was determined to be a replica gun, and immediately rendered emergency medical aid to the man.

The off-duty trooper was not wearing a body camera.

The police officers were placed on paid administrative leave and the service weapons of the officer and trooper have been taken as part of the investigation, as is standard procedure in any police-involved shooting.

All further inquiries should be directed to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.”-Lakeville Police Department.