Do you believe that New Bedford is an unsafe place to live or visit?  If you do, you are not alone.  Brock Cordeiro, a Dartmouth resident who represents the Second Bristol & Plymouth District of the Massachusetts Republican State Committee feels unsafe just about everywhere in New Bedford and says he has a very low "level of interest in stores in the city."

Cordeiro's comments follow an interview Chris McCarthy conducted on his program Sunday Brunch on WBSM with New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell.  Mitchell discussed how niche retail stores are having success against the internet and big box stores as  retail shopping habits continue to evolve.  But, Cordeiro countered by saying, "I rarely go downtown New Bedford."  He said, "The parking is horrible and no, I don't feel very safe in most of the city."

Cordeiro spoke with me today to further explain his feelings.

Editor’s Note: Barry Richard is the afternoon host on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from Noon-3pm. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

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