“What has this city come to? I was driving in the West end off of Kempton St. when I noticed parking spots been saved in front of people’s houses and it’s not just 1 but 4!

I thought the only time you are able to save a spot is when a parking ban is in effect. It’s just not right for the other neighbors that live around there.”-‎Matt Arabian‎.

The following was written by Thomas Carreiro, President New Bedford Firefighters, Local 841:

“First, I would like to express my condolences to the family of Ms. Barboza. As firefighters, we always believe that we can save everyone, through our efforts but we know in our hearts that is not always possible. The first arriving members to the fire that afternoon risked their lives but despite their efforts could not prevent the tragic outcome.

In the media, the efforts of the firefighters were described in the following manner:

“Lt. Kevin Cormier and Firefighter Christopher Mount, of Ladder Company 4, conducted a search of the three-family dwelling, and were able to quickly locate and evacuate Barboza, the lone occupant of the residence.”

A more accurate and complete description of the efforts would be the following:

“Upon arrival fire was venting out of a 3rd-floor window indicating that flashover had already occurred inside the apartment. Because of the possibility that there may be an occupant the Chief ordered Ladder 4 to conduct a search. Lt Cormier and Firefighter Mount forced entry and without the protection of a charged line, Engine 8 was blacked out, advanced to the 3rd floor.

Encountering heavy fire and smoke they proceeded to search the apartment under deteriorating conditions. They were able to find Ms. Barboza and pass her off to members of Engine 7 who had arrived sometime after Ladder 4. Lt. Cormier and Firefighter Mount then used Engine 7’s hoseline to attack the fire, protecting Ms. Barboza and the members of Engine 7 as they continued the rescue down the stairs.”

When asked about this fire the Mayor provided the following quotes:

1) “I asked the chief and he said it didn’t matter.”
2) “We asked the chief. The response time was within parameters. The blackouts continue to be something that we have to do because of fiscal pressures on the city. But the reality is, it hasn’t affected responsiveness.”

While the members of Local 841 are sympathetic to the “tough choices” demanded by the “fiscal pressures” that New Bedford is facing, we do not believe that it is appropriate to mislead the public in order to make the tough choices appear easy. Because Engine 8 was “blacked out,” Lt.Cormier and Firefighter Mount had to search without the protection of a charged line. This activity is one of the most hazardous that any firefighter can attempt. Searching without a charged line can also increase the time it takes to find victims. (Because of the extraordinary efforts of Lt. Cormier and Firefighter Mount that did not occur in this case but it may in the next case.)

To quote from a recommendation made by the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH), which investigates Firefighter fatalities:

“Fire departments should develop SOPs to ensure that a charged hoseline is either advanced with the search and rescue crew or is operated by another firefighter providing the team with protection while entering hazardous or potentially hazardous areas containing fire. A firefighter is taking a substantial risk when entering a burning structure without a charged hoseline or protection from one. The only justification for risking a fire fighter’s life is present when there is a real chance to save another person’s life.”

While it is perhaps technically accurate to state that “blackouts” haven’t affected responsiveness, it is clear that blackouts affect the effectiveness of that response as well as the danger that firefighters face during that response.

In addition, while it is not explained, we assume that the “parameters” that the Mayor is referring to is derived from the NFPA Guidelines (NFPA 1710) which recommends 15 Firefighters within 8 minutes and the 1st Engine in 4 minutes. What is not explained, by the Mayor, is that this guideline is for a 2-story single-family home with no basement and no exposures. This residence did not meet that standard and would have required additional resources. As noted by a recent report commissioned by the city (FACETS).

“In a general sense, the housing stock in New Bedford is older and more dense than the typical Massachusetts town. The southern, central, and western sections of the city were developed many decades ago and these residential areas include many wooden frame and multi–unit residences.

These occupancies typically range from one-family structures to as many as twelve units in a single detached structure. Older construction (typically of “balloon frame”) carries additional concerns when combating a hostile fire within the structure. Balloon frame structures, built long ago, utilize long timbers for the external walls which permit fire to communicate freely and rapidly from each level of the home to adjacent, and even non-adjacent, levels. Many of these structures have combustible siding and are constructed with narrow passages between them, creating additional fire spread hazards. … 90% of the area committed to residential housing is occupied by multi-family and/or high-density housing.”

For the type of housing stock typical in New Bedford, the NFPA recommends 20-25 firefighters within 8 minutes. It is clear from the Mayor’s public comments that he wants a Fire Department that has fewer fire stations as well as fewer firefighters on the apparatus in those stations.

The members of Local 841 ask that as the public debate takes place on what type of fire department the citizens of New Bedford want, that all of the facts are presented to the public honestly and in the proper context. The safety of the citizens of New Bedford, as well as the firefighters who are sworn to protect them, will depend on the outcome.”

Statement of New Bedford Fire Chief Paul Coderre regarding response to Coffin Avenue Fire

America made significant progress against the nasty, destructive, unhealthy habit of smoking cigarettes when states started banning smoking in restaurants, workplaces, and other public spaces. What seems like common sense today wasn’t so in years past – there was a time when smoking was not only considered “cool,” a great way to unwind or relax, and was even recommended by doctors!

If you are longer in the tooth or a fan of history, you are well aware that this recommendation from doctors goes back to the 1930s, was very common through the 50s and still had some potency into the 90s. It took some effort to change society’s perception and break the spell from marketing and promotion that was done by “Big Tobacco” and unfortunately it took a lot of people to become unhealthy, get sick and/or die young to nudge that social sentiment.

Alarming Statistics
According to the Center For Disease Control, smoking leads to 480,000 deaths per year in the United States…”including more than 41,000 deaths resulting from secondhand smoke exposure.” Which should come as no surprise since cigarettes contain such lovelies like rat poison (arsenic), nail polish remover (acetone), household cleaner (ammonia), components of battery acid (cadmium), embalming fluid (Formaldehyde), lead, insecticide (nicotine), et al.

But dying isn’t the only marker or characteristic of the damage from smoking: poor quality life, erectile dysfunction, heart disease, COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and an increased risk for certain eye diseases and tuberculosis, and serious immune system related illnesses. Smoking is related to most of the top ten causes of death in the country. It is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide.

While the adverse health effects have been known for decades, it has taken another series of significant efforts to address the effects of second-hand smoke. What a long haul!

Again, it might seem like common sense: if smoking can make you unhealthy, leading to a poorer quality of life, even kill you, then breathing in someone else’s smoke would also be unhealthy and kill you quicker. However, the general populace was just overcoming the idea that the lie that it was a great way to relax, was healthy and even cool and still had much more to learn. Baby steps, apparently.

Adverse Sociatel Affects
On top of being aware of the negative health effects to the smoker and those around them, there is the damage it does to all of society and the significant benefits of banning it in public spaces. There are fewer fire hazards, reduced health care costs, less strain on ventilation systems which also is easier on business expenses, it promotes a healthier environment and hygiene especially in businesses where food is served, actually benefits local businesses through making a company more attractive to potential employees, less litter, and has even been shown to reduce premature births.

Then there is the callousness, indifference, and ignorance of those smokers who stand at or near entrances to restaurants and shops and toss their butts, wrappers, and empty packs on the ground. Can they really be that oblivious that non-smokers still have to walk through their disgustingly smelly cloud of cancer-causing smoke to get in and out? I see this every day and people even smoke 3 feet away from “No Smoking!” signs. I can’t believe that this isn’t obvious to smokers, so I have to consider the option that it is their way of saying “F*** you!” to the lawmakers that pushed them outside of public places.

It is a nasty, nasty habit.

However, in any progressive society, there should be compassion and understanding, right? Obvious consideration has to be made for the addictive nature of cigarette smoking. Millions of people are struggling to kick the habit and it’s not an easy one.

Saddest of all is that in spite of all the information out there, new people are picking up that habit at an early age and we need to have some understanding and compassion there too. We have all made foolish, even stupid decisions when we were young, but addiction is something hard enough for a matured mind to deal with let alone that of a teenager or twenty-something.

The most alarming statistic when it comes to youths is that every day, more than 3,000 teenagers a year smoke their first cigarette. So the ranks are swelling.

Support, information, help is in abundance – No Excuse!
Having said that, there are support groups, more than enough information on preventing or kicking the habit, pharmaceuticals, anecdotes, and experiences from those who successfully dumped the habit to use as a model, and other means to put an end to the smoking once and for all. As a society, we have no need for smoking and it is time for it to go the way of the Dodo.

Worldwide, the estimated health care cost is an astounding, mind-boggling $1.4 Trillion. In the U.S. it is $300 billion a year with $156 billion in lost productivity due to premature death and exposure to secondhand smoke. By contrast, the annual cost of alcohol-related crashes totals more than $44 billion.

You will see a lot of effort to spread awareness on drunken driving especially with youths, there are countless organizations, and social condemnation aplenty, yet how much effort, how many organizations and social condemnation is there for smoking which costs more than seven times as much?

A peep in comparison.

Between 1999 and 2016, 572,537 people died of gunshots. At 480,000 deaths per year from smoking, it takes about 15 years worth of gunshot rates to be equivalent. In fact, more people die from second-hand smoke than gunshots in one year. Yet, you’ll find far, far more support, spreading of awareness and outrage for a cause that kills fewer people.

What does that say about society in general? Do we need gimmicks, viral videos on social media, and marketing for something to finally be deemed important enough for our attention?

Cigarettes need to be banned and only allowed for current smokers under the condition that they are in treatment. Within a generation, smoking can be made extinct and society a better place. Less of a financial burden on the country, less stress on the medical system, better productivity in the nation’s workplaces, a better quality of life and we would free up that $300 billion to use for the betterment of society and the world.

Benefits For All
Can you think of what the world can do with an extra $1.4 Trillion? Or what our country can do with an extra $300 billion dollars a year? Can you think of some community programs and outreaches, youth programs, educational programs, homeless centers, medical research for cures, animal shelters, non-profits, et al that could benefit?

I sure can.

The attempts to get rid of smoking by simply handing out the information and putting a warning label on products is lame, impotent, vain and downright absurd.

For any ban to work, history has shown, e.g. Prohibition, that it needs overwhelming societal support. “Big Tobacco” has enough money to invest in other industries while the last generation of smokers dies out. Of course, they don’t want that and won’t budge without the government banning cigarettes and pressure from us.

It is one of the most horrendous, tragedies of modern times and it is time to put a nail in its coffin. There is nothing beneficial or positive about cigarette smoking – for the smoker, the non-smoker, the environment, for society, for anyone and anything. It serves no useful purpose whatsoever, it’s not sexy, it’s not cool, it’s a disgusting and ignorant habit.

It’s time for it to go.

CORRECTION: Engine 8 was blacked out, not Engine 9.

The following was posted on New Bedford Firefighters Local 841’s Facebook page:

“On Tuesday, October 22nd a fire occurred at 354 Coffin Avenue which resulted in a fatality. The members of the New Bedford Firefighters Local 841 are saddened by the loss of any life. Our thoughts and prayers at this time remain with the family of Louisa Barboza.

The origin and the cause of the fire are still under investigation by the New Bedford Fire Prevention Bureau along with other local and state authorities.

In response to media and public inquiries and the lack of local media coverage on this incident we are providing the following information in relation to Black Outs:

The First Due apparatus were Engine 8 and Ladder 4 from Station 8 located at the corner of Acushnet Avenue and Davis Street. On this day Engine 8 was the “blacked out” (closed) apparatus for a 24-hour shift.

The daily “Blacking Out” of fire apparatus has been an ongoing practice not endorsed by the members of Local 841. It has been a budgetary managing tool forced in place by a failure to fully fund an already understaffed department. The allocation and assigning of funding lies solely in the corner office of City Hall.

The City of New Bedford has 7 Fire Station and 10 Fire Apparatus. We strongly stand behind maintaining a full and functional Fire Department.” – Tom Carreiro, President.

“Last night around 6:10pm I was leaving Market Basket and thank god I didn’t have my littles with me because I was the only car stopped at the red light.

Once I got there a panhandler was already trying to talk to me through my closed window. So I locked my doors because he was walking closer and closer to my car. So now he’s side by side with me outside of my window screaming at me because I’m ignoring him. Calling me …a stupid bitch!”, blah blah, etc.

I wanted to roll down the window and scream “Get a job!” but he’s honestly scary so I just pretended to be on my phone. As soon as I drove away he was still screaming “Don’t f***ing ignore me!”

I just think it’s not right that we have to sit at that red light and feel so uncomfortable never mind get screamed at and called names! I don’t owe that man anything, it’s just so annoying.

Just thought I’d share my story. I know I’m not the only one this has happened to.” – Megan Oliveira.

Have a story, opinion or essay to share? e-mail info@newbedfordguide.com.

The following is from a concerned Aunt in New Bedford:

“My 10-year old niece attends Parker school and being bullied. Every single day she is bullied by some punk kid who calls her names. Today the bully not only called her names but smacked her.

She shouldn’t have to cry every day before school. Every day he bullies her and threatens to hit her and embarrasses her in front of other students. Parker School does nothing.

We schedule meetings with the superintendent and he postpones or doesn’t show. As far as I’m concerned bullying is 100% unacceptable and it’s because of people like this that young kids are committing suicide.

She is there for an education not to be picked on. What else do we need to do for someone to open their eyes and protect her?! Clearly going to the school and police station isn’t the answer since we are still sitting at square one.

We’ve already called the police, filed reports with police, went to the school, asked for class changes, brought evidence to the table yet no one listens. They have their blinders on to this situation.

I’m beyond upset. Please share this and comment with any recommendations.” – Lori Trindade‎

Have a story, opinion or essay to share? e-mail info@newbedfordguide.com.

We now live in a world where scrolling through social media on your phone or using it text someone is ubiquitous. In fact, it so the new norm – you are the weirdo if you are sitting at a cafe, standing in line or in public and your phone is not glued to your hand.

It is so prevalent that if you observe people in a line that is 20 people deep, to say 18 of them will be buried in their phone would not be hyperbole. The art of small talk with your neighbor or stranger next to you in line is dead. Social skills be damned.

It is such an epidemic that it is also normal to see people texting while driving. It’s everywhere, everyone is doing it. This is one reason very little is done about it – it is accepted and ignored because people know they do it too and if they have a sense of integrity they won’t be hypocritical by being very vocal about banning and punishing people for it when they do it.

It is a form of addiction which has commonalities with other addictions. There is a “substance,” e,g, heroin, crack, meth, gambling, pornography, phones. You need a fix regularly to appease brain receptors. You are willing to do extreme things to make sure your habit is fed – with opiates people often steal or commit petty crimes, even rob or mug people. With gambling and pornography, you hurt your family and friends through spending too much money or time “feasting” on your substance. With alcohol, there is that plus the common verbal or physical abuse when inebriated.

With the phone, people are willing to risk their passengers or other people on the road. The only difference between phone addiction and the others is in the preferred substance, but the result is the same: hurting others or placing them at risk – risk that can lead to injuries or even death.

A study by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) demonstrated texting while driving is six times more dangerous than driving while inebriated. Car and Driver magazine published a report actually show how poor reactions times are on par with being drunk or worse.

This begs the question: if it is as bad or worse than being drunk why are the penalties not the same? In some states, like Massachusetts, our feckless politicians have made 5 attempts to ban it. Meanwhile, residents continue to be hurt or killed on our roads. The saddest part of everything is that these people are doing nothing important: they are simply scrolling their social media news feed, having a general conversation, even sending a “LOL” or “What u doing?” Even if it was an important message, common sense which is now uncommon these days would dictate waiting the few minutes to get where you are going or if you are on a long commute, pill over and text.

If people are going to be selfish with their phones it’s time to have a punishment that matches it. If texting or using your phone while driving is as dangerous or more so than being drunk, we need to have the same punishment for it. Since police cars and officers themselves typically have cameras now, we have video evidence that can back it up and phone records can be accessed.

One of the problems for years is the dishonesty of the people who use their phones while driving. They will deny they were being ignorant so they can escape a fine.

Until such a time as driverless cars are safe and infrastructure can be put in place for them, people will continue to hurt to kill themselves or others unless our politicians and law enforcement officers do something about it.

I don’t see people changing their behaviors under current law and policing – they seem determined to win Darwin Awards. It’s time to get their attention by including phone use while driving under the umbrella of driving “under the influence” because the end result is identical.

• 1st Offense: up to 2 1/2 years in jail, $500 to $5,000 in fines, and a 1 year license revocation,
• 2nd Offense: 60 days to 2 1/1 years in jail, $600 to $10,000 in fines, and a 2 year license revocation.
• 3rd Offense: 180 days to 2 1/2 years in jail or 2 /12-5 years in prison, $1,000-$15,000 in fines, and an 8 year license revocation.

The majority of New Bedford drivers ignore crosswalks and the New Bedford police should crack down on these reckless drivers – something that could easily generate $20,000 a week.

Earlier this week I was walking to the New Bedford City Hall and needed to cross North 6th Street to get there. While waiting at a crosswalk, several cars ignored me and blasted past the crosswalk. Finally, one vehicle stopped, but as I was crossing the driver behind the stopped car decided to pass on the left missing me by a few feet. A second car decided to follow but had to slam on the brakes as I was now visible on the crosswalk. This is a typical experience for me with crosswalks in New Bedford, not the exception.

A few years ago my brother was hit by a car on a crosswalk in downtown New Bedford. The driver yelled out “You’re lucky I even bothered to stop.” Luckily, it wasn’t a serious accident and he didn’t need medical attention, but it shows the mentality of some of the drivers on the road. Someone I knew was seriously injured and his companion killed in 2011 while using a crosswalk in Fairhaven. It’s time for the New Bedford police to act before someone is killed in New Bedford.

The penalty in Massachusetts for ignoring a crosswalk is up to $200. New Bedford police would easily catch 100 violators a week generating $20,000 in fines and likely removing some of the most dangerous drivers from New Bedford streets. Word would get out and New Bedford would be a safer place to walk, especially if the police enforced crosswalks on a monthly basis. Crosswalk enforcement would also generate a ton of revenue, saving the taxpayers some money.

In reaction to vape related illnesses and deaths, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker implemented a four-month ban on all vape products last Tuesday. The following week Massachusetts legislators moved a step closer to implementing “harm reduction sites” a.k.a safe injection sites where people with “substance use disorder” a.k.a. addicts can shoot up heroin and other controlled substances under the watch of medical professionals. The goal is to prevent overdose deaths, but there are at least two problems with the move.

First, U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling, the top federal prosecutor in Massachusetts, has already gone on record to oppose safe injection sites and has stated he would prosecute the employees and users. While the U.S Government seems to be taking a relaxed stance with states legalizing marijuana, they are taking a hardline approach with safe injection sites.

Second, Massachusetts legislators will be putting taxpayers at risk because it will be the taxpayer who becomes liable should a person suffer a fatal overdose in a safe injection site. As currently written in the bill, “a person with a substance use disorder may consume pre-obtained controlled substances.” This means an addict will be allowed to bring in their own drugs.

What if a person shoots up a spiked shot of heroin containing fentanyl or carfentanyl? Or a person who has been clean for months or years, relapses and takes a shot much too powerful for them? Fentanyl was responsible for 93% of all overdose deaths in Massachusetts so far in 2019. Narcan is a life-saving drug but has a reduced effect on fentanyl or carfentanyl. Nothing is certain when it comes to overdoses and it will be a matter of time before someone dies and the family sues the Massachusetts taxpayer. In Massachusetts, we love lawsuits more than we love our opioids.

There is no arguing that the government should do more to reduce overdose deaths in Massachusetts. Overdoses kill more people than cars and guns combined, but safe injections sites aren’t the answer at this time – not with a terribly written, two-page bill that puts taxpayers at risk.

Massachusetts elected officials also send mixed messages when they ban vaping one week and then talk about setting up safe injection sites a week later. Maybe set up safe vaping sites first?

The following was posted on Facebook by Fall River’s Christopher Peckham:

“Over the last few weeks, I’ve been trying to make time to get out and speak to those in the community that are less fortunate and get a better understanding of their stories. I’m trying to also get a better understanding as to how bad the opioid/homelessness situation is in our City, aside from my personal life experiences with family.

Here’s the story of a 43-year-old woman named Tracy. Tracy is originally from New York and left due to domestic and financial hardship. While in New York, Tracy sought help and was referred to a program in New Bedford. Once arriving in New Bedford, Tracy was told that there was no room in the program and that they would buy her a bus ticket to Boston, where the possibility of finding shelter and stability would almost be certain.

Tracy did, in fact, find shelter in Boston, but after being bounced around from shelter to shelter she was told by Staff in Boston that Fall River had MANY programs for the homeless and they bought her a bus ticket. Tracy arrived in Fall River expecting that our City would be her savior and she would soon be back on her feet.

Fast forward a few months and Tracy lives in this tent. Tracy explained that she stays close to the roadway due to the fact that she gets nervous at night being all alone. She then proceeded to show me a backpack full of rental listings, addresses, phone numbers, program booklets and everything she has tried to do to better her situation. Tracy worked for a temp agency up until last week when the job ended and she was let go. She was going to work and returning home to her TENT! Tracy wasn’t able to put enough money aside for first, last and security.

Now, this is where the story takes a twist. Tracy does not struggle with substance abuse, she does struggle with PTSD due to past life events. I asked Tracy if she had assistance offered while in Fall River to find shelter and she explained that she was able to stay at the First Step Inn on Durfee St for 30 days. After the 30 days, she was told that she had to leave. Tracy then told me something that completely shocked me.

Tracy explained that there are 50 beds at the First Step Inn but the facility only utilizes 20 of them. 12 beds for men and 8 for women. When she asked why she couldn’t use one of the remaining 30 beds, she was told that they were not funded for the summer months. She was then informed that all 50 beds would be funded for the winter months and to try back then.

I gave Tracy my number and I contacted a friend that said they would assist her in finding a place to stay.

My questions are, why does the First Step Inn, a shelter that offers great services to the homeless of our City not have funding to operate to its capacity? Are there no grants, or other avenues to explore that allow their work to reach more than 20 people at a time? They are a great asset to our community. I mean, if a homeless facility has 50 beds, wouldn’t you think it would benefit the City to have 30 more people off of the street, getting help?

Lastly, is it really feasible to think that it is better to be homeless in the summer, than being homeless in the winter? I would imagine it is torture regardless of what day, week or month it is. I most certainly have the intention of finding out why these beds cannot be funded year-round and explore ways to find funding by thinking outside of the box.”