Reporter Anastasia E. Lennon’s investigation into harassment allegations against a New Bedford Police sergeant and the city’s handling of public records requests related to the complaints prompted reaction from readers.
Details around the deaths of two humpback whales that washed ashore on Martha’s Vineyard have both sides of the offshore wind debate passionately engaged.
The following is a collection of reader reaction from The New Bedford Light’s website, Facebook and Instagram:
Coverage of Sgt. Ortega
“Hats off to The New Bedford Light for its persistence in unearthing the sordid history of Sgt. Samuel Ortega — one officer, whose misconduct was not merely buried by the NBPD but was also kept under wraps by the city’s lawyers.
“The Ortega case, as well as its attempted coverup, is one more indication that laws and labor contracts that conceal police misconduct do a grave harm to public safety and even public trust in the police. After similar cases throughout the state, the Legislature now needs to move beyond the modest police reforms it enacted several years ago and make sure that there is adequate information and public oversight of police. This should include an open statewide database of misconduct complaints, as well as severe penalties for refusal to turn over documents relating to disciplinary cases. Legislation must also override union contract provisions designed to conceal officer misconduct and even investigations from the public.
“When lawyers or teachers violate a public trust, the public knows the details fairly quickly. Police somehow are always exempted. This has got to change.”
— David Ehrens, Dartmouth
Editor’s note: David Ehrens is one of several founders of the New Bedford Light. The New Bedford Light newsroom is scrupulously independent. Only the editors decide what to cover and what to publish. Founders, funders, and board members have no influence over editorial content.
“Thank you for breaking this extremely important story. It’s so disturbing that Sgt. Ortega’s behavior is being tolerated!!”
— MaiatoFitzArt
“This needs to be addressed immediately. Women have to step down and leave their positions. Sometimes, even having to take lower titles for less pay whilst Sgt. Ortega is ordered to complete an already required ‘training exercise’ is outrageous. Character can not be taught. Sgt. Ortega and anyone of his character should not hold positions of power.”
— Sandytoesantos
“Well done. Congratulations, and keep it up.”
— David Prosten, Falmouth
“NBPD has a history of covering up this and other types of internal investigations with help from city hall. I know of more than one NBPD employee run out of the department after making a complaint, and yet those covering it up and .. retaliating are not only retained but are promoted.”
— Carl Texeira
Whale carcasses on Martha’s Vineyard
“It’s dangerous to all animals, including us, to delay clean energy, energy efficiency products and sustainability practices.
“Carbon pollution does not readily dissipate but accumulates in the atmosphere. It’s a compounding problem in which we have to weigh the risks and benefits of all climate solutions as quickly as we can. The Audubon Society, NRDC, Cape Cod Commission, APCC and other organizations studied the risks and benefits of offshore wind very carefully before they endorsed it.
“An article about animal extinctions by NPR on June 29, 2021, asked if reducing our carbon pollution could save millions of animals and us. Yes it could, but we can’t delay, especially over issues that were painstakingly decided. We need offshore wind like they have in Europe, China and other countries. Time is of the essence.”
— Jan Kubiac, Hyannis
“It’s apparently OK for the U.S. military to pester and harm whales with ship noises, bombs, and sonar but the possibility of wind turbine construction causing harm to whales is assumed to be obvious. Is there documented evidence of such harm during sea construction of turbines in northwest Europe?”
— Jan Galkowski
“NOAA is another hopelessly, corrupt organization. Giving a permit for over 200 whales to be killed, including 20 endangered North Atlantic right whales!”
— Tim
Juneteenth and New Bedford
“The New Bedford City Council should consider declaring Juneteenth a double holiday, also at the same time calling the holiday Fugitive’s Gibraltar Day in honor of the title given to the city for its peoples’ effort in the abolitionist movement and the Underground Railroad. Recently Tim Walker of Umass Dartmouth edited a book “Sailing to Freedom” which documented how escaping from slavery was much more common by sea than by land. New Bedford was arguably the home port of the Underground Railroad, so to speak. The city was on the moral side of American history and the title of being the Fugitive’s Gibraltar is a significant accolade. South of the Mason-Dixon line, New Bedford was called “a den of negro thieves and fugitive protectors,” according to the acclaimed historian Eric Forner in his book “Gateway to Freedom.” With the scratch of the pen, the city council could highlight how the city was an inspiration to anti racists and freedom loving Americans.”
— Craig Williams