12.     REPORT, Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods, recommending to the City Council to take the recommended action on a WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Gomes, Carney, Abreu, Coelho and Martins, requesting, that the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods, meet with the Police Chief Cordeiro, Health Director, Dr. Brenda Weis and a member of the Mayor’s staff, to discuss putting in place a comprehensive plan of action to address the present Opioid and heroin crisis in the City; and further, that Police Chief Cordeiro and the Narcotics Division put a full effort into taking the dealers of these drugs off the streets calling it a “Clean City”; and further, that the City work with every law enforcement agency available to address this issue, including the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Director, Daniel Bennett; and further, that letters be sent to Congressman William Keating, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Edward Markey, Schmid, and Straus, asking them to amend the present State and Federal laws to give the harshest punishment to those involved in selling these drugs on our streets and to also explore the possibility of holding them with no bail due to the impact on the community and the loss of life, along with assisting Cities with monies for treatment and education; and further, that anyone caught driving under the influence of such drugs or having been injected with these drugs be immediately arrested for driving under the influence in the City of New Bedford.

12a.     WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods, meet with Police Chief Cordeiro, Heath Director, Dr. Brenda Weis and a member of the Mayor’s staff, to discuss putting in place a comprehensive plan of action to address the present Opioid and heroin crisis in the City; and further, that Police Chief Cordeiro and the Narcotics Division put a full effort into taking the dealers of these drugs off the streets calling it a “Clean City” and further, that the City work with every law enforcement agency available to address this issue, including the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Director, Daniel Bennett; and further, that letters be sent to Congressman William Keating, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Edward Markey, State Senator Mark C.W. Montigny, Representatives Cabral, Koczera, Markey, Schmid, and Straus, asking them to amend the present State and Federal laws to give the harshest punishment to those involved in selling these drugs on our streets and to also explore the possibility of holding them with no bail due to the impact on the community and the loss of life, along with assisting Cities with monies for treatment and education; and further, that anyone caught driving under the influence of such drugs or having been injected with these drugs be immediately arrested for driving under the influence in the City of New Bedford. (Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods – June 9, 2016.)