New Bedford has seen a 91% increase in reported “Shots fired” in the city within the past 5 years, according to the 2023 Annual Crime Report by the New Bedford Police Department.

With 35 incidents of shots fired reported in 2019 we have since seen a steady increase year over year until a sharp jump in 2023.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

With 67 incidents in 2023, New Bedford averaged more than 1 incident of “shots Fired” per week. Of these 67 shots fired incidents, 3 were fatal, 21 resulted in the injury of a total of 24 victims, and 42 resulted in property damage.

In 16 cases there was no property damage, injuries or fatalities, but other evidence such as shell casings or CCTV footage confirmed the incident.

There has also been a slight increase in murders within the city of New Bedford in the past 5 years with 3 homicides in 2019 and 4 in each of the following years. Of the 4 homicides in 2023, a firearm was used in 3 incidents, while a knife was used in 1 incident.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

It is important to mention that, although there has been an increase in shootings within the past 5 years, the annual crime report does show a sharp decline in crime in almost every category when comparing the statistics recorded in 2014 to the statistics reported in 2023.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

“HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT:

* WHAT…East winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible.

* WHERE…In Massachusetts, Dukes MA, Nantucket MA, Southern Bristol MA, and Southern Plymouth MA Counties. In Rhode Island, Block Island RI, and Newport RI and Washington RI Counties.

* WHEN…From Wednesday afternoon through late Wednesday night.

* IMPACTS…Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates.”-Westport Fire Department.

Westport Fire Department photo.

Westport Fire Department photo.

Westport Fire Department photo.

“A 33-year-old Allston woman who shot an Attleboro gas station clerk during a botched robbery was sentenced late last week in Fall River Superior Court to serve five to seven years in state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Ashley Weaver pleaded guilty to indictments charging her with carrying an illegal firearm, armed assault with intent to rob and assault and battery.

On May 20, 2019 at approximately 2:30 A.M., officers from the Attleboro Police Department responded to the Mobil gas station on Newport Avenue for the report of a gunshot. When officers arrived, the clerk came out of the store and told the police that he had been shot by someone trying to rob him. The victim lifted his shirt and showed officers that he had a gunshot wound to his stomach. He told the officers that he was outside of the gas station taking out the trash when what he thought was a young, black male approached him brandishing a gun and demanding money. The suspect was wearing a gorilla or chimpanzee mask and appeared to have cornrows in his hair.

The victim did not believe that that the firearm was real and he chased after the suspect and got him in a headlock. The victim then heard a loud bang and felt a pain in his stomach and realized he had been shot. The suspect ran off and the victim went to hit the panic alarm in the store. Nothing was taken by the suspect during the incident. The victim was taken to Rhode Island Hospital where he had surgery and spent several days in recovery.

Several days after the shooting, a tipster called the Attleboro Police and told them that the suspect was actually a female named Ashley Weaver. Police presented the victim with a photo array of several individuals, one of whom was Ashley Weaver. The victim immediately identified her as the person who shot him.

The defendant was eventually arrested in Rhode Island, where she violently resisted while in possession of a firearm.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jason Mohan and the prison sentence was imposed by Judge William White.

“This was a very violent assault in which the defendant shot the clerk during a struggle. The defendant has a history of violence and was a suspect in other similar robbery attempts in Massachusetts. I am very happy the clerk recovered but this is another example of why you do not take matters into your own hands,” District Attorney Quinn said.”-District Attorney Quinn.

“New Bedford, MA – A local man has been placed under arrest following a shooting in the north-end sector.

On Monday, April 1, at around 9:30 p.m., patrol units were called to the Earle Street/Ashley Boulevard intersection regarding a hit-and-run accident involving a man with a gun. It was then reported that shots had been fired.

Sgt. Andy Simmons was conducting surveillance in the area at the time and observed one of the vehicles leaving before hearing shots ring out. He kept watch over the vehicle as it sped north on Acushnet Avenue. Fortunately, Sgt. Jonathan Lagoa, along with detectives Matthew Sylvia and Emily Pacheco, stopped the vehicle at Acushnet Avenue and Shaw Street.

City of New Bedford Police Department

The operator was removed from the car and identified as JOSE RIVERA SANCHEZ, 32, of 329 Highland Street. A search of the vehicle revealed him to be in possession of a loaded Polymer 80 firearm with a 10-round magazine, for which SANCHEZ had no license. The bullets in the magazine matched the brand of the shell casings located at the scene of the accident and subsequent shooting.

SANCHEZ was taken into custody and charged with a variety of offenses, including carrying a loaded, high-capacity firearm and ammunition without a license and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building. He is currently being held pending a dangerous hearing scheduled for later in the week.

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

“***SOSPECHOSO ARRESTADO TRAS TIROTEO EN NORTH-END***

Un hombre de la zona ha sido detenido tras un tiroteo en el sector norte.

El 1 de abril, alrededor de las 9:30 p. m., se llamó a unidades de patrulla a Earle St./Ashley Blvd. intersección en relación con un accidente de atropello y fuga que involucró a un hombre con un arma. Luego se informó que se habían producido disparos.
Sargento. Andy Simmons estaba vigilando el área en ese momento y observó que uno de los vehículos se alejaba antes de escuchar disparos. Mantuvo vigilado el vehículo mientras aceleraba hacia el norte por Acushnet Ave. Afortunadamente, el sargento. Jonathan Lagoa, junto con los detectives Matthew Sylvia y Emily Pacheco, detuvieron el vehículo en Acushnet Ave. y Shaw St.

El operador fue retirado del automóvil e identificado como JOSÉ RIVERA SÁNCHEZ, 32, de 329 Highland St. Una búsqueda del vehículo reveló que estaba en posesión de un arma de fuego Polymer 80 cargada con un cargador de 10 balas, para la cual SÁNCHEZ no tenía licencia. Las balas del cargador coincidían con la marca de los casquillos localizados en el lugar del accidente y posterior tiroteo.

SÁNCHEZ fue detenido y acusado de diversos delitos, incluido portar un arma de fuego cargada de alta capacidad y municiones sin licencia y disparar un arma de fuego a menos de 500 pies de un edificio. Actualmente se encuentra detenido en espera de una audiencia peligrosa programada para más adelante esta semana.

Si tiene alguna información que le gustaría compartir con la policía, puede hacerlo de forma anónima enviando un aviso en nuestro sitio web o llamando al 508-99-CRIME.”-City of New Bedford Police Department.

Street Sweeping Begins Thursday Night:

The City DPI team would like to remind residents about the annual street sweeping program, which kicks off on Thursday night.

The Department of Public Infrastructure will conduct a major street sweeping program in the city, including a parking ban on designated sides of the street beginning Thursday nights, as listed below. The program will run from April 1 through November 1.

The first sweep of this spring season will be April 4th into April 5th on the streets labeled “First and third Thursday of the month.”

The street sweeping will operate on a bi-weekly schedule. Street sweeping will occur from 11:50 p.m. on Thursdays to 6:00 a.m. on Fridays.

FIRST and THIRD Thursday of the month:

• Dartmouth Street from Matthew Street to Allen Street
• Kempton Street from Rockdale Avenue to Sixth Street
• Mill Street from County Street to Rockdale Avenue
• North St. from County St. to Rockdale Ave.
• Rivet Street from Route 18 to Hemlock Street
• Cove Road from Brock Ave. to the town line
• Cove St. from East Rodney French Blvd. to County St.
• Route 18 from Cove Road to Cove St.

SECOND and FOURTH Thursday of the month:

• County Street from Rivet Street to Cove Street
• Ashley Boulevard from Nash Road to Coggeshall Street
• Acushnet Avenue from Nash Road to Coggeshall Street
• North Front Street from Nash Road to Coggeshall Street

Failure to follow the posted street sweeping signs will result in vehicles being towed. During this timeframe, parking will be prohibited within the posted areas to allow sweepers full access to the curb line. These focused areas of sweeping are in addition to the regular, weekly scheduled street sweeping on the city’s main thoroughfares.

Anyone with questions may contact David Nieves at DPI at 508-979-1550 ext. 67332 with questions or for more information.”-City of New Bedford.

On Monday evening at approximately 9:49 pm, authorities apprehended a male individual after he was involved in a car crash on Ashley Boulevard near the intersection of Tinkham Street in New Bedford.

The dispatcher who took the call reported hearing multiple gunshots while still on the phone with an eyewitness before the vehicle drove off abruptly, causing another crime scene and marking this as the fourth shooting within a six-day time span.

Carlos Pimental Felix photo.

Carlos Pimental Felix photo.

Carlos Pimental Felix photo.

If Faceboook blocks the video, you can see it here

“It’s amazing what a little cleaning will do.

Our new ownership and management team are hard at work to improve the cleanliness and feel of our Dartmouth store. Freshly painted, power washed, subway title and additional TLC goes a long way.

We are open daily as we paint and clean. 🥯”-New York Bagel Co.

New York Bagel Co. photo.

New York Bagel Co. photo.

New York Bagel Co. photo.

New York Bagel Co. photo.

New York Bagel Co. photo.

“Massachusetts State Troopers, along with Worcester and Brockton Police, this morning apprehended KAHMARI T. PRICE, 17, who was wanted for a 2023 shooting homicide in Brockton. The Massachusetts State Police added PRICE to our Most Wanted list last October.

Members of the MSP Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS), with assistance from the MSP Critical Technical Investigations Team, tracked PRICE to an address on West Boylston Street in Worcester. He was taken into custody without incident at 9:41 AM.

PRICE is charged with the Feb. 26, 2023, fatal shooting of 33-year-old Mark A. Boyd on North Main Street. The investigation into the shooting by the State Police Detective Unit for Plymouth County and the Brockton Police Department Detective Bureau ultimately identified PRICE as the shooter, and Troopers obtained an arrest warrant in Brockton District Court. PRICE was actively attempting to avoid capture since the homicide. MSP VFAS added him to the Department’s list of Most Wanted fugitives on Oct. 11, 2023.

PRICE is expected to be arraigned in Brockton District Court this afternoon. The case is being prosecuted by the office of Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz.”-Massachusetts State Police.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

In 2023, violent crime continued to decline in New Bedford and is now down 58% over the past decade, with property crime down 55% in the same period.

When we report a crime, assault, shooting, etc. it isn’t uncommon to see people comment saying, ‘Riiiiight. Crime is down.’ Why it isn’t obvious to people that ‘Crime is down.’ isn’t the same thing as saying ‘There’s no crime.” is puzzling.

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New Bedford, MA — In 2023, violent crime continued to decline in New Bedford and is now down 58% over the past decade, with property crime down 55% in the same period.

The drops over the last 10 years are reported in the New Bedford Police Department’s (NBPD) 2023 Crime Report, a data-driven annual analysis of crime in the city that follows the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

Among the report’s findings:

• Violent Crime decreased 58% from 2014-2023 due to drastic drops in rape (-34%), robbery (-61%) and aggravated assault (-62%).
• Property crime decreased 55% over that time frame due to sharp drops in arson (-68%), burglary (-71%), and larceny (-57%).

“With the release of this report, we reaffirm our commitment to transparency and our dedication to the citizens of New Bedford,” Chief Paul Oliveira said. “I am encouraged by the city’s downward trajectory of crime rates. These statistics are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our officers and the support of our community partners.”

City of New Bedford Police Department photo.

The 2023 Crime Report reflects the collaborative endeavors of law enforcement agencies, local organizations, and engaged citizens in fostering a safer environment. The report tracks a notable decline in various crime categories, as the NBPD has continued to address the root causes of crime and build trust within the community through proactive engagement programs, innovative policing strategies, and effective law enforcement partnerships. The report underscores the importance of community involvement in crime prevention efforts, emphasizing the role of residents, businesses, and stakeholders in promoting a safer and more resilient New Bedford.

The report also validates the department’s efforts to react quickly and forcefully when criminal activity ticks upward in particular categories. For example, the “shots-fired” category rose in 2023 due to a gang-related spike late in the year. A proactive response to these incidents led to several arrests for firearms-related offenses, with shots-fired data returning to baseline levels.

Another example was motor vehicle theft, which rose in the second half of 2023 due to a nationwide viral social media “challenge” involving Hyundai and Kia vehicles.”-City of New Bedford Police Department.

You can download the entire report here.

“A 35-year-old New Bedford man was convicted last week after a weeklong Superior Court trial of raping and molesting a close underage female relative and the friend of another underage female relative, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Joel Berberena was convicted by a jury of his peers in Fall River Superior Court on indictments charging him with two counts of rape of a child-aggravated by age difference, four counts of indecent assault and battery on a person under the age of 14, and one count each of rape of a child by force and indecent assault and battery on a person over the age of 14.

The trial was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Casey Smith and Silvia Rudman.

The defendant was sentenced by Judge Renee Dupuis to serve 23 to 30 years in state prison, to be followed by seven years of supervised probation.

The allegations came forward to New Bedford Police on November 30, 2020 after a 12-year-old girl who was staying over the house of the defendant’s close relative told her mother that the defendant had digitally raped and sexually molested her at least three times during her stay at the house. Forensic interviews were set up at the Bristol County Children’s Advocacy Center, at which time it also came to light that the defendant was repeatedly digitally raping and sexually molesting another close female relative when the girl was between the ages of 12 and 15.

Both victims testified during the trial.

“The defendant engaged in depraved conduct by raping a close relative and another relative’s friend. He took advantage of his access to both victims to rape these two young girls. I commend the victims for their fortitude and perseverance for testifying in this case under very difficult circumstances. The lengthy state prison sentence imposed by the court was warranted,” District Attorney Quinn said.”-Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III.