“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″

“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.

“Since the City of New Bedford’s Food Waste Drop-Off Program started in June 2022, nearly two tons of food waste have been collected.

While that is significant, there is a lot more food waste that can be diverted from the landfill.

The City is encouraging more New Bedford residents to participate by giving out free food waste kitchen bins and there is a chance for you to win a $50 Stop & Shop gift card.

New Bedford Recycling Department photo.

“About 20 percent of what residents dispose of is leftovers and food scraps. This program helps by keeping food waste out of the Crapo Hill Landfill, our local trash disposal site,” said Jennifer Vieira, Director of the City of New Bedford Department of Facilities and Fleet Management, “and it gives residents a better option for dealing with food waste than just trashing it.”

Chance to Win $50 Gift Card
From October 9, 2023, to December 15, 2023, New Bedford residents dropping off food waste at the Recycling Center have a chance to win a $50 Stop & Shop gift card! Ten different New Bedford residents who drop off food waste during this ten-week period will be selected to win a gift card. The Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District and Stop & Shop will provide the $500 in gift cards. The Recycling Center, at 1103 Shawmut Avenue, is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, noon to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

New Bedford Recycling Department photo.

Kitchen Bins
One hundred kitchen bins are available to New Bedford residents while supplies last. Each 2-gallon kitchen bin contains a roll of BPI certified compostable bags and informational flyers. Kitchen bins are available at the Department of Facilities and Fleet Management, 294 Liberty Street, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ID required. The kitchen bins and compostable bags were purchased with a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

Here’s how to use your kitchen bin:

1. Find a spot for your kitchen bin. If you line it, use a BPI certified compostable bag only. No plastic bags.
2. Fill the kitchen bin with accepted materials (see below for details).
3. Loose food waste is accepted in this drop-off program. You can place food waste directly in your kitchen bin and empty it into a designated food waste cart at the Recycling Center. Wash the kitchen bin.
4. You may place bagged or loose food waste into a larger container, such as a 5-gallon bucket.
5. Make sure your larger container is not too heavy to pick up. Take it to the Recycling Center.

How to Participate in the Drop-Off Program
New Bedford residents can drop off food waste at the City of New Bedford’s Recycling Center at 1103 Shawmut Avenue. The Recycling Center is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, noon to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Recycling Center has carts designated for food waste. The carts are emptied by a partnering company, Recycle Works, and brought to an anaerobic digester in Rhode Island.

You can drop off all unpackaged food e.g., fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, breads, grains, baked goods, as well as bones, shells, peels, eggshells, coffee grounds, and BPI certified compostable bags.

Unacceptable items include plastic bags, cleaning chemicals, diapers, glass, pet waste, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, plates, cups, utensils, recycling, trash, and yard waste.

If you don’t have a kitchen bin you can put food in any container, such as a bowl or bucket. Shake the food waste into a designated food waste cart at the Recycling Center.

For more information, call the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District at (508) 979-1493, or email Marissa@gnbrrmdistrict.org.”

“The members of the Sr. Teresa Trayers, SND Chapter of the National Honor Society held their annual Rock-a-thon Food Drive on Friday and Saturday, September 29th and 30th. Starting in 1999, the NHS Rock-a-thon has collected over 183,000 pounds of food to assist the needy in the Greater New Bedford, Fall River, and Taunton areas.

The event gathered non-perishable food for the area’s needy. This is a school-wide event in which proceeds benefit the Shepherd’s Pantry in Acushnet, St. Anthony’s of Padua Church Food Pantry, Damien’s Place in Wareham, Citizens for Citizens in Fall River, St. Mary’s Food Pantry in Taunton, UMass Dartmouth Campus Ministry, and the Solanus Casey (Catholic Social Services) Pantry both in New Bedford. Last year a total of 10,121 pounds of food were collected. Although we were not successful in breaking the all-time record of lbs. collected, we beat last year’s collection by 921 pounds.

With so many faculty members, homerooms, NHS members, and two local schools, St. Francis Xavier in Acushnet and Holy Name School in Fall River, we were able to donate 11, 041 lbs. of food to seven different food pantries.

The food was distributed this week to the following local pantries:

• Citizen for Citizen in Fall River
• St. Mary’s in Taunton
• Shepherds Food Pantry in Acushnet
• Solanus Casey in New Bedford
• St. Anthony’s Church in New Bedford
• St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Wareham
• Damien’s Food Pantry in Wareham

The attached photos show student volunteers collecting, sorting, and loading food onto the food pantry trucks.”

Bishop Stanf High School photo.

Bishop Stanf High School photo.

Bishop Stanf High School photo.

Bishop Stanf High School photo.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 1999 and 2021, 645,000 people have died from opioid-related overdoses and almost 80,000 people in 2022 alone. In 2020 the national opioid dispense rate reached 43.3 per 100 people.

One 2022 study found that counties with higher dispensing rates had more cases of opioid misuse and dependence as one would suspect. Yet, another study suggests that a new phase of the opioid epidemic may have fueled the decrease in prescriptions, that of Fentanyl and other synthetics which in 2020, accounted for an alarming 82% of all opioid deaths.

Ophelia, a site that offers online treatment for opioid addiction and dependence recently took a look at the national rates for opioid dispensing. In addition, they broke down the rates for counties within each state. Their data was culled from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here are the top ten counties in the commonwealth ranked from 10th to 1st place along with their rates:

#10. Plymouth County
• Opioid dispensing rate: 25.2 per 100 people
• 24.3% lower than state average
• 41.8% lower than national average

#9. Franklin County
• Opioid dispensing rate: 26.4 per 100 people
• 20.7% lower than state average
• 39.0% lower than national average

#8. Essex County
• Opioid dispensing rate: 27.0 per 100 people
• 18.9% lower than state average
• 37.6% lower than national average

#7. Barnstable County
• Opioid dispensing rate: 32.1 per 100 people
• 3.6% lower than state average
• 25.9% lower than national average

#6. Worcester County
• Opioid dispensing rate: 33.1 per 100 people
• 0.6% lower than state average
• 23.6% lower than national average

#5. Hampshire County
• Opioid dispensing rate: 33.7 per 100 people
• 1.2% higher than state average
• 22.2% lower than national average

#4. Berkshire County
• Opioid dispensing rate: 36.6 per 100 people
• 9.9% higher than state average
• 15.5% lower than national average

#3. Bristol County
• Opioid dispensing rate: 41.8 per 100 people
• 25.5% higher than state average
• 3.5% lower than national average

#2. Hampden County
• Opioid dispensing rate: 44.1 per 100 people
• 32.4% higher than state average
• 1.8% higher than national average

#1. Suffolk County
• Opioid dispensing rate: 62.9 per 100 people
• 88.9% higher than state average
• 45.3% higher than national average

“Warning – this information may be upsetting to read.

“He was limping through the streets of Lexington, with an illegal leg hold trap tightly gripping his front leg, when people walking by took notice. Fate would have it that a police officer would be very close by. One of the by passers alerted the police officer and, from that moment forward, a village would work together to right the wrong that one cruel human being had set in motion.

Multiple Lexington police offers would combine efforts to corner this young fox into a nearby garage. The owners of the garage would allow the police officers to do anything with their garage and the items in it, so long as it helped the creature in need.

Newhouse Wildlife Center photo.

Police officers would use items in the garage to barricade the exits. They would then contact Environmental Police Officer, Dewayne Taylor. While in route to rescue the fox, Officer Taylor contacted us.

Once on scene, our team, Officer Taylor, Lexington Police and the caring owners of the home, would all work together to safely contain the fox.

With it being late on Saturday afternoon, this fox was going to need even more kindness. All the veterinary clinics we worked with were closed. He would need to be sedated so we could clean his wounds, he would need X-rays, a vet exam and strong pain medication to alleviate the excruciating pain in his foot.

Newhouse Wildlife Center photo.

Dr. Vasilakis from Linwood Animal Hospital would offer to suit up on her day off and open the clinic so the fox could get the care he needed.

Radiographs would reveal that, shockingly, no bones were broken. That was a relief, but we still have concerns about the leg. The blood supply sometimes does not return to the foot in these cases. For now, our team is working diligently to do all we can to save his foot. With his pain managed, he is comfortable, warm and has a full belly.

I know this sounds like a horrible and sad story. No one can deny the sad aspect to it. This animal has suffered due to the cruelty and illegal actions of another human being.

Newhouse Wildlife Center photo.

In processing the events of yesterday, would you judge me if I told you that I felt good at the end of the day?

You see, in my mind, there will always be cruel people out there. There will always be those who lack empathy. One quick and cruel act can cause a life time of pain. I have seen it many times.

One person did an an awful thing and then MANY people rallied to right that wrong. Many good, caring people jumped at the chance to help this creature, with each doing all they could with what they had to save his life.

The home owners offering their garage and belongings.

The police officers working together to contain him there.

Newhouse Wildlife Center photo.

The dedicated environmental police officer who left our rescue with the rusty trap in hand, determined to do all he can to find the person who did this.

Dr Vasilakis, who opened her clinic on her day off to make sure this fox received medical treatment. And our team members for all the treatment they continue to give.

My heart goes out to this fox. He is only about 6 months old. He didn’t deserve this. He has suffered so much through this terrible ordeal and we are going to do everything possible to save his foot.

Though I am disgusted at what one human being did, my heart is full knowing just how many people would band together, in an instant, to relieve the suffering that another had caused. No one asked for anything in return. The only compensation needed was to know this animal was getting the care he needed.

There are still good, caring people out there. They come out of the woodwork when a wrong has been done. I saw so many of them yesterday and I am so grateful to know people like that are out there. We need them. The animals need them. The world needs them. ❤️?❤️”-Newhouse Wildlife Rescue.

_________________________________________________________________

UPDATE: “There were two foxes. Both found near the Lexington/Arlington line. Both with illegal leg hold traps attached to them. We suspect these traps likely came from the same perpetrator, since they were so close to each other. Despite much effort, the one seen in Arlington was not able to be caught.

From what we understand from speaking with police yesterday, this fox ended up removing its own foot to set itself free. We do not know the current status of that fox. We feel so badly for this poor creature and what it has had to endure.

The fox we rescued yesterday was recently trapped – within the last day or two, based on his wounds.

***If anyone has any information that can help environmental police catch the person who is illegally setting these traps, please let them know. Please help us to stop the person who is doing this to these animals. Please press the word.”-Newhouse Wildlife Rescue.

___________________________________________________________________

“On Saturday the Arlington Police Department assisted the Lexington and Environmental Police Departments on capturing an injured fox. Arlington Animal Control Officer Wilson also caught a sick fox today.

Both foxes were transported to a local wildlife rescue for treatment and we are hoping for a speedy recovery.”-Arlington, Massachusetts Animal Control.

Arlington, Massachusetts Animal Control photo.

Arlington, Massachusetts Animal Control photo.

“On Saturday, Trooper Jared Layman, a recent graduate of the 88th Recruit Training Troop, and his Field Training Officer, Trooper Ryan Shepherd, were tasked with wrangling a few swans out of the Route 495 median in Westborough.

After some ingenuity, the Troopers were able to devise a plan to get the swans safely into the back seat of a cruiser. They were later transported to a nearby lake, where they were released.

This marks the second swan rescue in the last week, great job Troopers!”-Massachusetts State Police.

All photos by the Massachusetts State Police:

“STOREFRONT FACELIFT:

As part of the City’s Storefront Facelift social media series, we showcase businesses in neighborhoods across New Bedford who are taking advantage of the City’s storefront rehabilitation program.

Today’s Storefront Facelift is Giammalvo’s Market located on Purchase Street. Giammalvo’s received $38,867 in federal ARPA funds to fix the siding of the building, the windows, doors, and signage.

Stay tuned for the next one!”-City of New Bedford.

BEFORE. City of New Bedford photo.

AFTER. City of New Bedford photo.