New Bedford gets 87% increase in funding to fight gang crime

February 8, 2019 5:55 pm

By: Amanda Pitts

alpitts@abc6.com

@APittsABC6

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) – New Bedford now has extra cash to combat gang violence head-on.

Massachusetts is giving the city $618,845 through the Shannon Community Safety Initiative, an 87% increase from last year’s grant of $330,654.

“We’re extremely appreciative and grateful”

Chief of Police Joseph Cordeiro said gang activity in New Bedford has typically been confined to the south central and west end of the city. But now, he said, there’s more activity in the north end.

Part of the plan with the funds is to put more patrols in the area, but it’s much more than just boots on the ground.

“To get folks, especially younger kids, diverted from the gang life to a normal, real life, with real goals, and real jobs,” said Cordeiro.

That’s why the department teamed up with the United Way of Greater New Bedford.

Pam Cruz, Vice President of Special Initiatives, said the prevention and intervention of gang violence is critically important.

She said the funds will be used to increase their outreach team, up to ten workers total. The program has worked with middle and high schoolers the past two years, but now they’ll get to focus on 17 to 24-year-olds.

“That’s a population that’s most at risk,” said Cruz.

Cruz said the workers will be people who know the community, and some that might have even been involved in gangs themselves in the past. Putting them directly in contact with the youth who need it most.

“When you impact one life, you impact a whole slew of lives cause we all touch each other in some way shape or form,” said Chief Cordeiro.

The United Way has already hired two of their five new employees just this week.