Governor Charlie Baker today filed legislation that will provide law enforcement and prosecutors with additional tools to prosecute people who repeatedly break the law. The reforms put forth in today’s legislation include expanding the list of offenses that can provide grounds for a dangerousness hearing and closing certain loopholes at the start and end of the criminal process that currently limit or prevent effective action to address legitimate safety concerns.

“Recent tragedies have demonstrated the tremendous damage that can occur when our criminal justice system fails to identify and detain dangerous people charged with serious crimes,” said Governor Baker. “The alarming frequency of these events confirmed for us that we need to fix a broken law, so we worked closely with law enforcement, district attorneys and victims advocacy groups across the Commonwealth and consulted with the courts to develop this proposal to do a better job of protecting Massachusetts communities from dangerous defendants.”

The governor’s legislation strengthens the ability of judges to enforce the conditions of pre-trial release by empowering police to detain people who they observe violating court-ordered release conditions; current law does not allow this, and instead requires a court to first issue a warrant.

“Far too often, there are few consequences for defendants who violate the conditions of a court issued release,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “This legislation will empower police officers with the tools they need to protect their communities and hold until trial defendants who pose a continuing danger to our communities.”

This legislation empowers judges to revoke a person’s release when the offender has violated a court-ordered condition, such as an order to stay away from a victim, or from a public playground. Current law requires an additional finding of dangerousness before release may be revoked.

“A person who is so dangerous that his or her release threatens the safety of a specific victim or of the community at large does not become safe to release merely because three or four months have passed since the time of their arrest,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Daniel Bennett. “This legislation would ensure that a person who a court determines is a danger or who violates his or her conditions of release is held until the time of trial or other disposition of the case, rather than being released after a defined period.”

“I’m very pleased with the governor’s proposed bail reform legislation,” said Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III. “This will make it more difficult for the court to release dangerous defendants. Dangerous criminals should be held without bail until their cases are resolved. The public and law enforcement have a right to be protected from dangerous criminals. This legislation goes a long way towards doing that. I have long advocated for changes to the bail system, and I appreciate the governor’s leadership on this very important issue.”

“It is encouraging to see that the call for action to keep dangerous and repeat criminals off the streets that began as a result of Sgt. Gannon’s murder is being taken seriously,” said Yarmouth Police Chief Frank Frederickson. “In July the Governor signed the MPTC Training Bill and now the announcement of this proposal is another significant move that will provide needed protection for our citizens from violent criminals.”

“Regardless of whether their cases can be prosecuted, survivors of sexual violence who are respected and believed throughout the process have better health and wellness outcomes,” said Katia Santiago-Taylor, advocacy and legislative affairs manager at the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center. “The first and most powerful way to do this is to ensure that survivors are informed about what is happening with their case, including timely notification when an offender is released from custody.”

The legislation expands the list of offenses which can provide grounds for a dangerousness hearing and follows the long-standing federal model in including a defendant’s history of serious criminal convictions as grounds that may warrant a dangerousness hearing. Current law requires courts to focus only on the crime charged and ignore a defendant’s criminal history when determining whether the defendant may be the subject of this sort of hearing.

Additional provisions of this legislation:

· Improves the system for notifying victims of crimes of abuse and other dangerous crimes when a defendant is going to be released by creating clear lines of responsibility among police, prosecutors and corrections personnel to notify victims about an offender’s imminent release from custody, and create a six-hour window for authorities to inform a victim before an offender is allowed to be released.

· Creates a new felony offense for cutting off a court-ordered GPS device.

· Requires that the courts develop a text message service to remind defendants of upcoming court dates, reducing the chance they will forget and have a warrant issued for their arrest.

· Allows dangerousness hearings at any point during a criminal proceeding, rather than requiring a prosecutor to either seek a hearing immediately or forfeit that ability entirely, even if circumstances later arise indicating that the defendant poses a serious risk to the community.

· Requires that the probation department, bail commissioners and bail magistrates notify authorities who can take remedial action when a person who is on pre-trial release commits a new offense anywhere in the Commonwealth or elsewhere.

· Creates a level playing field for appeals of district court release decisions to the superior court by allowing appeals by prosecutors, in addition to defendants, and giving more deference to determinations made in the first instance by our district court judges.

· Creates a task force to recommend adding information to criminal records so that prosecutors and judges can make more informed recommendations and decisions about conditions of release and possible detention on grounds of dangerousness.

The legislation also closes loopholes at the start and end of the criminal process that currently limit or prevent effective action to address legitimate safety concerns. It extends the requirement that police take the fingerprints of people arrested for felonies to all people arrested, regardless of the charge, to ensure that decisions about release can be made with knowledge of a person’s true identity and full criminal history. It also allows, for the first time, bail commissioners and bail magistrates to consider dangerousness in deciding whether to release an arrestee from a police station when court is out of session.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell on the process of getting trees replaced on your street. 

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has notified the New Bedford Health Department of the finding of West Nile Virus in a primarily bird-biting mosquito sample obtained in the area of the New Bedford Business (Industrial) Park, located off of Phillips Road in the far north end of New Bedford. The mosquito is of the Culiseta melanura species and is mainly bird-biting.

The Bristol County Mosquito Control Project conducted its weekly round of spraying this morning, including the area of the New Bedford Business Park. This round targeted the area of Rural Cemetery in addition to areas including Buttonwood Park, Brooklawn Park, Fort Taber, Hazelwood Park, Riverside Park, Clasky Park, Ashley Park, the Poor Farm area, Custom House Square and the downtown area. Spraying takes place between 2:00 am and sunrise on Thursday mornings, weather permitting.

As part of the mosquito tracking program, the New Bedford Health Department will request that the BCMCP target key areas of the New Bedford for spraying, including public parks and locations that host large public events.

Like EEE and West Nile, the New Bedford Health Department works closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to track other emerging mosquito-borne diseases such as the Zika virus. While Zika-carrying mosquitoes have not been identified the New Bedford area, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reports that the likelihood of becoming infected with Zika virus from a mosquito bite in Massachusetts is very low, residents are urged to take the general precautionary measures to prevent mosquito bites. In addition, travelers to areas where the Zika virus has been detected in mosquitoes or humans should take extra precaution to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes during their trip. This includes both females and males who travel to areas where the Zika virus is occurring. If you or your partner is planning on traveling, you should check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for information about where Zika virus is occurring:

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-information.

The same precautionary measures are advised for EEE, WNV, and the Zika virus. These include the following:

Avoid Mosquito Bites
Ø Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours – While mosquitoes are out at all hours of the day, their peak biting times are from dusk to dawn. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing, especially if you work or spend a lot of time outdoors.

Ø Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Ø Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home
Ø Drain Standing Water – Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.

Ø Install or Repair Screens – Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell was asked when the Acushnet Riverwalk in the north end would be completed. 

PAY: $15.46 – $20.92

Performs, according to standard office procedures, a variety of clerical duties requiring a moderately complex degree of decision making and knowledge of the functions of the department. Perform all levels of payment processing including cashiering, processing mail, Lockbox CDM and departmental turnovers. Maintain an overall understanding of the entire treasury/collection function to be able to provide the highest level of customer service via walk-in, telephone or electronic communication.

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent; two years of work experience in a financial institution or in a position that required money handling and customer service. Mandatory CORI (Criminal Offender Record Investigation) background check per City Council Ordinance effective May 14, 2013.

For application/complete job description, please visit www.newbedford-ma.gov. Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found. New Bedford has a residency requirement. EEO

Bristol County, Mass., Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson thanked President Donald Trump for his support of law enforcement and presented him a plaque and badge at a White House ceremony on Wednesday afternoon.

Earlier in the day at a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol, he made a major announcement: The National Sheriffs Association is hosting a crowdfunding website to finance and construct the wall along the southern border.

Sheriff Hodgson escorted President Trump and Vice President Pence into the room for a gathering of Sheriffs at the White House in the afternoon.

“You and your administration have given law enforcement its footing back and given law enforcement the support and tools necessary to protect the people in our neighborhoods, communities and our entire nation,” Sheriff Hodgson said to President Trump.

Prior to the visit with the President, the Sheriffs took part in a roundtable discussion about the security aspects of border security and the dangers presented by criminal illegal aliens. Vice President Pence stopped by the roundtable to thank Sheriffs for their service. The discussion featured officials from the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the White House.

Sheriff Hodgson then presented President Trump with a custom-made plaque featuring a badge and the inscription: “There’s a new Sheriff in town – In appreciation for your support of our efforts to enforce our nation’s laws – America’s Sheriffs.”

Earlier in the day, Sheriff Hodgson and the other Sheriffs joined members of Congress outside the U.S. Capitol for a press conference urging lawmakers to act immediately on the security aspects of immigration reform. Joined by Reps. Mo Brooks, Louie Gohmert, Steve King, Andy Biggs, Clay Higgins, and with statements from Lamar Smith and Lou Barletta, Sheriff Hodgson urged other members of Congress to work together to pass legislation on immigration reform.

“Without major changes to our nation’s immigration laws, such as increasing border security and ending sanctuary policies, the people we’re sworn to protect will remain at a greater risk to be victimized by criminal illegal aliens,” Sheriff Hodgson said.

At the end of his remarks, he announced the NSA’s crowdfunding page – Sheriffswall.org – in which 100 percent of every donation goes directly to the funding and construction of the wall along the southern border.

He said the wall will help “stop the flow of MS-13 gang members, drug cartels and other criminal illegal aliens who continue to walk right into the United States unabated.”

“We believe the people of our nation are ready to stand with America’s Sheriffs to jump-start one of the most significant public safety and border security programs in our nation’s history,” he said.

Sheriff Hodgson also wished to thank the team at Uniform and Supply of Swansea, Mass., for their tireless efforts in making the plaque.

At approximately 3:25 pm yesterday, Massachusetts State Police Troop H broadcast a report of an attempted abduction of a child near the bathrooms at Castle Island.

Troopers responded and spoke to a woman who reported that a man whom she did not know approached her and members of her family and was behaving erratically. Specifically, the man was making bizarre and non-sensical statements.

The woman asked the man to leave, but he did not and then grabbed the arm of the woman’s 12-year-old son, according to her statement. The woman then pushed the man away and told him not to touch her son. The man then walked away in the direction of a nearby playground.

A short time after responding, a Trooper located a man matching the description of the suspect. The man had a large rock in his hand when the Trooper approached him and claimed to know the woman and boy he had accosted. The suspect was placed into a cruiser, and the woman positively identified him. The suspect was arrested and transported to the State Police-South Boston Barracks, where he was booked on charges of assault and battery, breach of the peace, and attempt to commit a crime. He is identified as WILFIN MEDINA, 29, and is expected to be arraigned in South Boston District Court today.

New Bedford’s rich history includes many compelling and important stories. One hundred eighty years ago, in September of 1838, Frederick and Anna Douglass arrived in New Bedford just two weeks after escaping Maryland, and Frederick’s enslavement. Douglass’ powerful legacy as an abolitionist and orator would make him one of the most important people in the country in the 19th century. This year is the bicentennial of Douglass, who was born in 1818. New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park will present a day to commemorate the arrival of Frederick and his wife Anna. The event will take place on Sunday, September 16, beginning at 1:00 pm at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 33 William Street, downtown New Bedford.

The program will begin in the park’s MakerSpace at 1:00 pm. Historian and costumed interpreter Guy Peartree will bring the spirit of an elder Frederick Douglass to life. On display there will also be two books that Douglass actually owned, the Seraph, (a hymnal) and works of Robert Burns. The elder Mr. Douglass will make his way to Union and South Water Streets, on the present-day lawn of the YMCA, where he will “meet up” with his younger, twenty-year-old self and wife. The public is invited to gather there beginning at 1:30 pm. At 2:00 pm the young couple will make its way to the Nathan and Mary (Polly) Johnson House, with the public marching with them.

At 2:30 pm, New Bedford Historical Society begins its formal program with the Toni Morrison Society presenting a special bench to the New Bedford Historical Society and its membership. The Bench by the Road Project places benches to recognize sites and people important to the history of the African diaspora. Blake says the bench will be situated in the backyard of the Nathan and Polly Johnson House, where Frederick and Anna Douglass found their first free home in New Bedford. An accompanying plaque near the bench will recognize the Johnson House as an Underground Railroad landmark owned by black abolitionists who offered refuge for at least seven freedom seekers, including Frederick and Anna Douglass, the Molyneux-Gibson family, and the family of William H. Brown, abolitionist and the first African American novelist, according to a news release from the New Bedford Historical Society.

In addition, Kenneth Morris, president of the Frederick Douglass Foundation and great-great-great grandson of Frederick Douglass, will be speaking that day. Mayor Jon Mitchell will proclaim the First Annual Frederick Douglass Day on September 17. The event will include music and refreshments.

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New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park was established by Congress in 1996 to help preserve and interpret America’s nineteenth century whaling industry. The park, which encompasses a 13-block National Historic Landmark District, is the only National Park Service area addressing the history of the whaling industry and its influence on the economic, social, and environmental history of the United States. The visitor center is wheelchair-accessible, and is free of charge. For more information, call the visitor center at 508-996-4095, go to www.nps.gov/nebe or visit the park’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/NBWNHP. Everyone finds their park in a different way. Discover yours at FindYourPark.com

The New Bedford Symphony Orchestra will be holding auditions for up to 4 positions in the viola section and for principal clarinet at the New England Conservatory of Music, 290 Huntington Ave, Boston. Viola auditions are on Monday Oct. 8 from 10am to 4pm; Principal Clarinet auditions are on Sunday Oct. 14 from 4:30pm to 10pm.

In order to apply to audition, please send your current resume to: Elisa Birdseye, Personnel Manager, at ebirdseye@earthlink.net. Resumes will be accepted until September 22. Successful candidates will be contacted to schedule an audition shortly thereafter. Audition repertoire can be found online at www.nbsymphony.org/audition.

The NBSO is a professional orchestra that annually presents a concert series of classical and pops music with internationally acclaimed guest artists, as well as an outstanding chamber music series. In addition, the NBSO’s innovative and nationally recognized educational programs reach 25,000 students each year. NBSO Music Director Yaniv Dinur also serves as the Associate Conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. All rehearsals and performances are held in New Bedford, MA.

To learn more about the NBSO, please visit www.nbsymphony.org.

An Adams, Mass. man was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield in connection with a plot to engage in terrorist activity inspired by and in the name of ISIS. This is the second man in the past 8 months who has been found guilty of committing terrorism in Massachusetts in the name of ISIS.

Alexander Ciccolo, a/k/a Ali Al Amriki, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 20 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release. In May 2018, Ciccolo pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, one count of attempting to use weapons of mass destruction, one count of being a convicted person in possession of firearms, and one count of assaulting a nurse during a jail intake process by use of a deadly weapon causing bodily injury.

“Alexander Ciccolo planned to kill innocent civilians in the United States on ISIS’s behalf,” said United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Andrew E. Lelling. “Even though he was born and spent most of his life in Massachusetts, Ciccolo decided to turn against his country and plotted to attack his fellow Americans. Thanks to the tireless investigation and swift response of our law enforcement partners, Ciccolo was unable to carry out his violent plan. The sentence handed down today reflects our commitment to bringing all those whose allegiance lies with terrorists to justice.”

“The National Security Division will not tolerate threats to our country and its people,” said Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers. “Not only did Ciccolo admit to supporting ISIS — a well-known terrorist group — but he also collected weapons and explosives in order to further their goal of murdering innocent Americans. This sentence holds him accountable for breaking our laws and putting American lives at risk.”

“Make no mistake, Alexander Ciccolo was a committed soldier of ISIS who wanted to kill innocent people at a United States university with assault rifles and pressure cooker bombs, not an unwitting dupe who didn’t understand the gravity of what he was doing,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “He repeatedly expressed his desire to engage in acts of violent jihad against our country, and with this sentencing, he will now pay the price for conspiring with a foreign terrorist organization. I commend the hard work and collaboration of all involved, specifically the Western Massachusetts Joint Terrorism Task Force who successfully thwarted Ciccolo’s terroristic plot before any lives were lost. We all play a role in safeguarding our country, and this case not only highlights the importance of continued vigilance, but the significance that family, friends, or by-standers can play in reporting threats or suspicious activities.”

Alexander Ciccolo was a soldier of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Ciccolo heeded the call of ISIS to commit terrorist attacks in the United States. He intended to inflict maximum damage upon the United States and create mass casualties on behalf of ISIS. At the time of his arrest in July 2015, Ciccolo was planning to attack a university using firearms and improvised explosives, and attempted to recruit others to assist him in his attack plan. Even after being arrested, Ciccolo attacked a nurse who was merely trying to provide him medical care.

Until his arrest in July 2015, Ciccolo had spoken with a person who was cooperating with law enforcement in recorded conversations about his plans to commit acts of terrorism inspired by ISIS. The plans included setting off improvised explosive devices, such as pressure cookers filled with black powder, nails, ball bearings and glass, in places where large numbers of people congregate, like college cafeterias. Prior to his arrest, agents had observed Ciccolo purchase a pressure cooker similar to that used in the Boston Marathon bombings.

On July 4, 2015, Ciccolo was arrested after he received four firearms which he had ordered from a cooperating witness who had been communicating with Ciccolo about his plans to engage in a terrorist act. Ciccolo was arrested in possession of a Colt AR-15 .223 caliber rifle, a SigArms Model SG550-1 556 rifle, a Glock 17-9 mm pistol, and a Glock 20-10 mm pistol. Ciccolo had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by more than a year in jail and therefore was prohibited from possessing firearms.

In addition, several partially constructed “Molotov cocktails” were found in Ciccolo’s apartment after he was arrested. These incendiary devices contained what appeared to be shredded Styrofoam soaking in motor oil. Ciccolo had previously stated that this mixture would cause the fire from the exploded devices to stick to people’s skin and make it harder to put the fire out.

Shortly after his arrest, while he at the Franklin County Correctional Center, Ciccolo stabbed a nurse with a pen more than ten times, leaving a bloody gash on the top of the nurse’s head.

U.S. Attorney Lelling, Assistant Attorney General Demers, and FBI SAC Shaw made the announcement today. The investigation was conducted by members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Springfield, Ludlow, Holyoke, West Springfield, Easthampton, and Pittsfield Police Departments; the Massachusetts State Police; and Homeland Security Investigations, with critical assistance from the Adams Police Department and the Massachusetts State Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deepika Bains Shukla and Kevin O’Regan of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office and Trial Attorney Andrew Sigler of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice prosecuted the case.