No Outrage Over Police Home Shooting in New Bedford? [OPINION]

A New Bedford police officer had his apartment shot up last week. The suspect fired at least eight bullets into the home. The reaction has been mostly crickets.

If it wasn't for WBSM talk host Barry Richard, the story about the terrorist attack on a Massachusetts police officer would be mostly unknown. Barry has great sources and he was born and raised in the city. He and his wife raised their two sons in the city and, until recently, they were among the overburdened homeowning taxpayers of the Whaling City. He recently sold his home and moved out to a neighboring community.

Can you blame him?

If a police officer's home was shot up in Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Acushnet, Westport, Freetown, Lakeville, Mattapoisett, or most other suburbs in America, the community reaction would be overwhelming. The residents would be all in and all behind the men and women of their local police department.

Why is New Bedford silent?

When a total stranger died in a confrontation with the police in Minneapolis, there were marches in the streets of New Bedford. Elected officials and civil leaders joined in honoring a stranger all over New Bedford. Where are they now that a police officer in the community they represent has been a victim of violence?

Where are the clergy members? Where are the educators? Where are the business owners?

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City Councilors Brian Gomes and Ian Abreu are the only ones to speak out for the decent people of the city.

We have seen American cities overwhelmed by chaos and violence in the past because the leaders failed to lead and failed to stand up. Where is the outrage in New Bedford?

Chris McCarthy is the host of The Chris McCarthy Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact him at chris.mccarthy@townsquaremedia.com and follow him on Twitter @Chris_topher_Mc. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.