New Bedford Immigrant Population Still Being Attacked

Community leaders say muggings and other violence directed at New Bedford's Central American immigrant community are continuing despite increased police attention to the matter. Juan Sam, who heads the board of directors of a latin american workers group, says even he has been a victim. He says a man pulled a gun on him this month, but he used his cellphone to call 911 and his assailant fled. Sam says many Central American immigrants are reluctant to tell police. One problem is language a barrier. Immigrants, many from Guatemala, do not speak English or Spanish, but indigenous Mayan languages. New Bedford Police Chief David Provencher says there have been efforts within the department to reinforce that everyone deserves prompt responses. He says it's important to increase dialogue with the immigrant community.