Crime, Rox Talk At Ward 3 Meeting

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—Along with continuing numerous programs already in place in the department, new Police Chief Emanuel Gomes is enacting some new changes in the department, including revamping the department’s website.
“It should be soon,” Gomes said after a Ward 3 meeting Tuesday night held by City Councilor Dennis Eaniri at the John F. Kennedy School.
Gomes, who was named permanent police chief a few weeks ago, said the department has upgraded its software and expects to have a new and improved website in the next week or so.
“It was supposed to be this week two weeks ago, but they’re behind about a week,” Gomes said.
Some of the new features will include a live or “close to live” Brockton police daily log of calls personnel respond to.
Gomes said the department will also broadcast a 24-hour scanner from the site.
Gomes’ comments came after the Ward 3 meeting during which he introduced himself to the about 20 residents who attended the meeting.
Crime watch coordinator Officer Bill Healy gave residents an update on recent arrests of people suspected of about 150 home and vehicle break-ins in the area of Pine, Bouve and Forest Avenue since January.
Healy said the confidential and anonymous tip-line helped identify the alleged culprits and although sometimes catching the bad guys can take time, police believe the arrests will curb a large portion of the break-ins.
“These types of things take a lot of time,” Healy said.
Also attending the meeting was Thomas Healy, the new general manager for the Brockton Rox who talked about the Rox’s move from the professional Can-Am League to the Futures Collegiate League.
Healy said the Rox have high hopes for the season and are counting on the families and friends of players on the team to come to Campanelli Stadium for games and return the ballpark to its heyday in 2001 and 2002.
Healy said because the team is saving a large amount of money by not paying players, that money will be shifted to advertising games and marketing the team to draw more spectators to the games.
The team has also slashed ticket prices in hopes of enticing fans to games.
Reserve seats are now $5, box seats $8, and $12 for a super box.
He echoed CEO Michael Canina and Chris Carmunicci that the team is actively seeking investors in the team and working in every way to keep the stadium alive, including concerts and special events.
A resident asked Healey how much money the Rox still owes the city, but he deferred those comments to Canina or Carmunicci because he is getting up to speed on the finances.
At the end of February The Brockton 21st Century Corp, which leases the stadium to the Rox, announced a 1-year deal to keep the team running. The deal included the reorganization of the Rox under new management, a plan to pay off the debt the team owes the city and profit-sharing for the 21st Century Corp. if any profits are made.
Henry Silvia, one of the residents at the meeting, said he is a season ticket holder who loves going to the games and noted it's an inexpensive night out for families that is filled with baseball, food and non-stop activities for kids.
"Unless some of us go to the games, they're not going to pay anyone back," Silvia said. "We need to support it whether you like baseball or not," Silvia said.