SouthCoast Police Have Deep Political Support [OPINION]
The radical "police reform" bill currently sitting on the desk of Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has forced politicians into the public light.
The vast majority of people appreciate the police officers who serve and protect. Most people understand that without the men and women who are police officers, there would be no justice and no peace. Even former President Barack Obama has recently come out and condemned the slogans of the "defund the police" politicians and the goals of that radical movement.
The New Bedford City Council voted unanimously to support the police and requested the members of the city's state legislative delegation vote against the bill known as the police reform bill. United States Congressman William Keating, a Democrat, regularly discusses his support for local police. He is a former District Attorney and many of his immediate family members have been and are still police officers in Massachusetts.
State Representative Christopher Markey represents part of New Bedford and all of Dartmouth. He is a former Assistant District Attorney, currently practices in the criminal courts and he is opposed to this radical bill. State Representative Paul Schmid represents New Bedford, Fall River, Westport, and Freetown – probably one of the most diverse districts in the Commonwealth – and opposes this bill. Former Fall River police officer and current State Representative Alan Silvia voted against this bill. Carol Fiola was on the Governor's Council before she was elected to the House of Representatives. As a member of the Governor's Council, she reviewed judicial appointees and voted to confirm or reject those individuals. She voted to reject the police reform bill. Taunton State Senator Marc Pacheco, who represents Bridgewater, Carver, Marion, Middleborough, Wareham, Berkley, Dighton, and Raynham, voted against this bill.
All of the above are Democrats in good standing.
Every Republican in the Massachusetts legislature voted against the radical police reform bill.
This isn't true reform. Gov. Baker should join the bi-partisan coalition and reject this attack on the men and women who protect our society.
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.