‘The key is forming connections with them’: New Bedford Police on initiatives used to combat juvenile crime

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — Over the past month, New Bedford police arrested at least four juveniles for several different gun charges.

Those charges included carrying loaded firearms with obliterated serial numbers, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, possession of ammunition and more.

Lt. Scott Carola said overall crime in the city is on the decline, but nationwide it’s spiking.

“We have definitely seen more activity from juveniles and it’s for a myriad of different reasons,” Carola explained. “There’s no mystery why guns would be attractive to kids out there.”

According to Carola, those reasons stem from issues like the softening of laws when it comes to juveniles, the pandemic leaving young adults with anxiety and stress, and feeling the need to protect themselves.

“When it comes to juveniles, we’ve learned the key is not to arrest, and lock them up, and throw away the key. The key is forming connections with them,” he said.

Carola said the department is working to combat the crime and violence before it’s too late by working with partners like mental health clinicians and Shannon outreach workers who go into problem areas and build connections with those at risk.

“The way that we’re dealing with crime and problems now is that we are reaching out, and we are taking the hands of other organizations, and saying we need to work as a team,” the lieutenant told ABC 6 News Thursday.

As warm weather approaches, many departments have shared concerns about a possible rise in violence.

Carola told ABC 6 the department is prepared and ready for anything.

“Do we ever expect an increase in activity this summer? Yes, we do. But, no more so than any other year, but we’re prepared for anything that comes our way,” said Carola.