NBPU-New Bedford Police Union

06/21/2026

On behalf of the New Bedford Police Union, we would like to wish all fathers a Happy Father’s Day! Thank you for everything you do for your families and loved ones. Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed. We hope you take a moment to enjoy your day.

06/19/2026

06/18/2026

***Shots Fired***

On Thursday, June 18, 2026, in the early morning hours, members of the Uniform Patrol Division responded to a shots fired incident in the area of 23 Robeson Street. A ShotSpotter activation indicated multiple shots were fired in the area.

Upon arrival at this location, officers located shell casings in the area. Officers were also informed that the residence had suffered property damage, with projectiles making their way into the home. Thankfully there were no injuries to any of the occupants in the home. Major Crimes Detectives responded to the scene to assist as well.

For any inquiries of detailed information regarding this incident, or any other shootings occurring in the City of New Bedford involving victims and/or property damage, please contact the New Bedford Police Department.

If you have information regarding this incident, or any other incident, please contact the New Bedford Police Department at 508-991-6300 x79519, or submit an anonymous tip at 508-961-4584.

It is important to note that information received from members of our community could be vital in assisting us during the investigation of this incident.

06/16/2026

***Shots Fired***

On Monday, June 15, 2026, in the evening hours, members of the Uniform Patrol Division responded to a shots fired incident in the area of Willis Street and Cottage Street. A ShotSpotter activation indicated multiple shots were fired in the area.

Upon arrival at this location, officers located shell casings in the area. Officers subsequently discovered that there was one male victim who sustained a gunshot wound (non-life-threatening injuries), in the area of Hathaway Road and Highland Street. He was subsequently transported to St. Luke’s Hospital for treatment. Major Crimes Detectives responded to the scene to assist as well.

For any inquiries of detailed information regarding this incident, or any other shootings occurring in the City of New Bedford involving victims and/or property damage, please contact the New Bedford Police Department.

If you have information regarding this incident, or any other incident, please contact the New Bedford Police Department at 508-991-6300 x79519, or submit an anonymous tip at 508-961-4584.

It is important to note that information received from members of our community could be vital in assisting us during the investigation of this incident.

06/13/2026

***PARENTS HAVE BEEN FOUND***

Thanks to the quick work of our wonderful community, this young man has been identified and his parents have been located! Thank you sincerely for everyone helping to make quick work in identifying him and making it so we could locate his parents. We truly do have the best community and are very appreciative of all of you!!

Good morning all,

We are currently attempting to identify this male who was located wandering alone in the south end of the city. He is non-verbal and was found to be in the area of South Front Street and Gifford Street. Currently he is at St. Luke's Hospital.

If anyone recognizes him, can you please contact the NBPD at 508-991-6350 (communications division) so that we can locate his parents.

06/13/2026

Good morning all,

We are currently attempting to identify this male who was located wandering alone in the south end of the city. He is non-verbal and was found to be in the area of South Front Street and Gifford Street. Currently he is at St. Luke's Hospital.

If anyone recognizes him, can you please contact the NBPD at 508-991-6350 (communications division) so that we can locate his parents.

06/11/2026

Our prayers are with the family.

06/08/2026

***Domestic Incident leads to Firearm Seizure***

During the early morning hours of Sunday, June 7, 2026, members of the Uniform Patrol Division responded to the area of Hazelwood Park to report being threatened by a relative with a firearm. The incident did NOT occur at the park, but at a residence on Studley Street in the west end of the city. Officers were informed a black colored firearm was used.

Upon arrival at the residence on Studley Street, officers were able to have the suspect, Leonard DaCruz (38 years old), exit the home where he was taken into custody without incident. While being taken into custody he made statements to police that the firearm that was used was in his personal vehicle.

Detective Samuel Algarin-Monica arrived on scene to assist and applied for a search warrant for the vehicle and the residence on Studley Street, and the search warrants were granted. As a result, an unsecured R***r firearm was located unsecured inside of DaCruz’s vehicle. DaCruz, who does have a license to carry in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, had his LTC seized. He was subsequently charged with various firearm and domestic related charges. The arresting officer was Officer Edwin Yat-Toj.

The New Bedford Police Union is proud of the work done by the members of our Uniform Patrol Division in conjunction with the members of our Violent Crime Investigative Unit. These kinds of collaborative efforts between different divisions show the continuing commitment we have to keeping our community safe. Even though the firearm was legally possessed, the fact that it was used during a domestic incident and subsequently left unsecured only serves to highlight the potential dangers in domestic related incidents. We continue to be serious in our efforts to making our community safer for not just our residents, but all who visit. The people of New Bedford should feel proud to have such dedicated officers in their service, and we will proudly continue to serve them always.

The NBPD encourages anyone with information about criminal activity to come forward and report it. Tips can be shared anonymously by calling 508-99-CRIME or by submitting a report through our website:

https://www.newbedfordpd.com/report/

06/07/2026

***Firearm Seizure***

During the early morning hours of Sunday, June 7, 2026, members of the Uniform Patrol Division responded to the residence of 10 Viall Street for a check the welfare call.

Upon arrival to the residence, officers could hear parties fighting on the third-floor of the residence. Officers were able to make entry into the apartment and discovered seven males in the apartment. Due to the males drinking, using narcotics, and having been fighting, all of them were pat-frisked for officer safety. While Pat-frisking the males, Jose Martinez-Alvarado (40 years old) was found to be in possession of a firearm.

The firearm was a G***k 19 with one round of ammunition in a large capacity magazine. Martinez-Alvarado does not have a license to carry in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and he was subsequently taken into custody without further incident. Job well done by Officer Kenneth Almeida, Officer Orlando Franco, and Officer Kevin Crespo!

The New Bedford Police Union is proud of the work done by the members of our Uniform Patrol. These kinds of efforts show the commitment we have to keeping our community safe, and the removal of another unlawfully possessed firearm only further shows that we are serious in our efforts to continue making our community safer for not just our residents, but all who visit. The people of New Bedford should feel proud to have such dedicated officers in their service, and we will proudly continue to serve them always.

The NBPD encourages anyone with information about criminal activity to come forward and report it. Tips can be shared anonymously by calling 508-99-CRIME or by submitting a report through our website:

https://www.newbedfordpd.com/report/

06/03/2026

Today, members of the New Bedford Police Union attended the Massachusetts Fraternal Order of Police training conference. While in attendance we were honored to see that the FOP recognized Detective Lavar Gilbert, who was injured in the line of duty as a result of being struck by gunfire. Detective Gilbert, who suffered physically and continues to suffer mentally from the ramifications of the shooting, has been waiting patiently for legislation to pass in the Massachusetts State House for his retirement benefits.

Unfortunately, Detective Gilbert has been waiting far too long, as his retirement benefits should’ve been something that went through quickly in the Massachusetts Legislature for approval. He has been waiting far too long for benefits that should have been received the moment the bill was put on the House and Senate floors. Detective Gilbert is not the only officer who is awaiting approval from the Legislature, and the hope is that they move swiftly so that the bills do not have to be refiled.

Thank you again to the Massachusetts Fraternal Order of Police for recognizing Detective Gilbert and continuing the efforts to get his and the other bills passed through the State House and Senate!