Coelho Seeks Re-Election To At-Large Seat

Councilor-At-Large Debora Coelho is seeking another term on the New Bedford City Council telling residents that she has and will continue to address issues of concern to Whaling City residents.

Coelho spokes with WBSM's Brian Thomas on Wednesday and talked about progess that has been made during her tenure on the City Council.

Among the issues Coelho cited was crime with her saying that while there is still work to be done there has been a decrease in crime which she has said was helped by the Council's approval of the Shot Spotter system which allowed police better respond when a shooting occurs in a specific area.

"The area is gonna be treated differently, because there's a sense of alarm within the Police Department, and they'll know how to monitor that area," said Coelho.

Coelho said she will remain an outspoken opponent of prostitution and has called for more action taken to combat it, brushing back proposals that legalization be considered.

"It brings the woman down, it brings the family down, it brings other woman down, and it brings the city down," said Coelho "so up until now I can't prostitution out of the category it is, which is literally a crime."

Coelho also touted her efforts to improve the economy which includes tax incentives for businesses that wish to locate or expand in New Bedford.

"I think that's important because, hey they have to try to hire locally, so that's more people at work and that's more places filled up in the City of New Bedford," said Coelho.

Coelho is seeking re-election to the At-Large Council seat in a field that includes 11 candidates, one of whom will be eliminated in a preliminary election that takes place October 6.