Police and Courts
Apparent murder-suicide involving New Bedford father-son linked to missing woman
George C. Scott III, 53, and his son died of injuries from a sharp object, according to the DA. Scott was a person of interest after his girlfriend, Lisa Hazard, went missing in March 2019.
Investigators believe Hawthorne Country Club fire was ‘intentionally set’
When investigators try to determine the cause of a fire, they look for the point of origin — usually the area with the most damage, a spokesperson for the Department of Fire Services explained. From there, investigators look for evidence of potential causes.
Investigators seeking tips in fire at Hawthorne Country Club
“The state of the building is going to be a total loss, unfortunately.” — Dartmouth Fire District 2 Chief Erick Turcotte
Heroux praises response to inmate uprising: ‘That’s corrections at its finest.’
“This is never seen. Usually you see videos of excessive force … It’s just very professional. The public never sees this.’ — Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux, describing video footage of officers ending standoff without injuries
Watch The Chat with new Sheriff Paul Heroux
In the wake of the first big challenge of his tenure as Bristol County sheriff, Paul Heroux will be the special guest of The Chat on Wednesday, May 3 at 7 p.m. As always, The Chat is free to attend, simply register below.
Inmate uprising — what went right and what went wrong
“I could let them trash the place,” said Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux. The main objective, he said, was to “not have someone get hurt — inmate or officer.”
Sheriff’s officers subdue rioting inmates at Jail and House of Correction in Dartmouth
One inmate suffered a minor cut, perhaps from slipping and falling, but otherwise no inmates or correctional officers were injured, as authorities took control of the units with a show of force — but without using force, said Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux.
Video: Attorney general releases footage of 2020 uprising at ICE detention center
In more than five-and-a-half hours of recordings cut into short segments, the video provides glimpses of what happened inside and just outside the center after the initial disturbance.
Sheriff Heroux details plans for preventing inmate suicides
New report lists 24 recommendations to improve suicide prevention, including more privacy during inmates’ first screening; getting nurses involved in screening at Ash Street; and more suicide prevention training.
Some stolen Whaling Museum artifacts still missing; suspect pleads not guilty
“They’re priceless,” said Assistant District Attorney Michael Scott, referring to the stolen museum pieces. He singled out the dollar value of only one item, a piece of scrimshaw on a whale tooth, which he said museum officials estimated was worth $35,000 alone.
Former New Bedford Whaling Museum worker indicted in thefts of historical artifacts
Robert Burchell, who worked for the museum for about a year before he was arrested in January, is accused of selling or trying to sell stolen items worth more than $1,200 on 19 occasions, according to the DA’s office.
Second body found in New Bedford rooming house fire
One resident said that there were no sprinklers in the building. A family member of another resident said that the hatch to the fire escape ladder was locked, forcing some to jump from the second-story wooden balcony.
Residents seen jumping out of windows to escape deadly fire at New Bedford rooming house
Residents were seen jumping out of windows to escape the blaze as firefighters arrived on scene. Heavy, dark smoke poured from the top three stories of the building, enveloping a full city block between Tallman and Holly Streets.
City employee and former NBPD detective charged with stealing, possession of narcotics
Authorities found a gaming console, fire alarms and a bullet-resistant vest at Stephen Greany’s Francis Street residence — items that he allegedly stole from the city, according to police.
Addiction treatment chain operator charged with health care fraud
RCCA and its operators allegedly shortchanged Rhode Island and Massachusetts substance abuse disorder patients out of needed counseling and treatment services, while defrauding Medicare, Medicaid, and other health insurers out of millions, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.
Why so many prison suicides? Heroux turns to an expert
Sheriff Paul Heroux is consulting Lindsay M. Hayes, one of the country’s foremost authorities on jail and prison suicide who has been studying federal, state and local correctional systems for more than 40 years.
New Bedford offering $5,000 sign-on bonus to new police officers
The city’s police department is currently budgeted for 259 officers, but is now staffed at about 214, according to Mayor Jon Mitchell. Police Chief Paul Oliveira said he could not recall the last time department staffing was at its budgeted levels.
How the $75,000 Whaling Museum thefts went down
Robert Burchell had a long history of addiction, debt, arrests and jail stints. Then the museum hired him as a “facilities associate.”
Heroux gathers early support to study closing ancient Ash Street Jail
“I’m sold on it. When we see the conditions at Ash Street, it’s not ideal for the staff or inmate conditions. It’s time for us to close that … This kind of seals the deal.” — State Sen. Paul R. Feeney.
New inmate suicide points to ‘blind spot’ in procedures, sheriff says
The death at the Jail and House of Correction in North Dartmouth is a very early test for new Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux, who emphasized inmate suicide as an issue in his campaign against 25-year incumbent Thomas M. Hodgson.
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