🌱 Will New Bedford shut off its controversial Flock surveillance cameras?
New Bedford, Massachusetts Patch AM: a 4 min readHello New Bedford! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Will New Bedford shut off its controversial Flock surveillance cameras?
- How the new Zeiterion is quietly reshaping downtown New Bedford’s dinner rush.
- Driving a Hyundai or Kia in New Bedford? Read this police warning.
Also on today's calendar: Ambassadors For Christ and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the cookie go to the Doctor ? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Humid with some sun, with a high of 83 and low of 71 degrees.
- Friday: Humid with variable clouds, temps: high: 86, low: 71. 🌶 Hot!
- Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 84 and low of 71 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Privacy concerns fuel debate over Flock cameras in New Bedford (turnto10.com) — New Bedford is weighing how much it should rely on Flock license plate reader cameras now that the city is dropping its ShotSpotter gunshot detection contract. Police say the system helps track suspects and deletes most data after 30 days, but a city councilor and many residents are raising strong privacy and surveillance concerns and pushing to shut the cameras off. 
2. Downtown eateries share limelight with newly refurbished Zeiterion (newbedfordlight.org) — Downtown New Bedford restaurants are seeing fuller dining rooms thanks to the Zeiterion Theatre’s $37 million renovation and January reopening. Owners of spots like No Problemo, Tia Maria’s, National Club, and Candela Cucina describe bigger pre-show crowds, ticket-holder discounts, and how the theater’s comeback is reshaping winter business and overall downtown vibrancy.
3. New Bedford Police Issue Hyundai and Kia Theft Warnings (wbsm.com) — New Bedford Police are leaving bilingual warning cards on certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles to alert owners that their cars are popular targets in the nationwide “Kia Challenge” theft trend. Officers urge drivers to lock up, park in well‑lit areas, consider steering wheel locks, and contact local dealerships for free security updates that can reduce their risk.
4. Building the next generation (sailingscuttlebutt.com) — Young sailors from New Bedford’s Community Boating Center crewed the 50-foot Crazy Horse in the 2025 Marblehead-to-Halifax Race, logging their longest offshore passage yet. The piece follows their high-speed run across the Gulf of Maine, showing how the center is giving local teens serious offshore racing experience and building the next generation of competitors.
📸 Around New Bedford
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
New Bedford
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
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Ambassadors For Christ →
Union Baptist Church, 109 Court St, New Bedford
10:00 am
Sunday August 9
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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3D Movies: Big Blue Pictures
New Bedford Whaling Museum Cook Memorial Theater
10:30 am -
FIRST FRIDAYS
New Bedford Whaling Museum Jacobs Family Gallery
5:00 pm -
Lagoda Below Deck
New Bedford Whaling Museum Lagoda
10:00 am -
3D Movies: Big Blue Pictures
New Bedford Whaling Museum Cook Memorial Theater
10:30 am -
SouthCoast Business Builders' Breakfast - August 2026
SouthCoast Chamber Dorothy Cox's Candies Inc. 100 Griffin St, Fall River, MA 02724
8:30 am -
3D Movies: Big Blue Pictures
New Bedford Whaling Museum Cook Memorial Theater
10:30 am -
Whale Wednesdays
New Bedford Whaling Museum Harbor View Gallery
10:00 am -
3D Movies: Big Blue Pictures
New Bedford Whaling Museum Cook Memorial Theater
10:30 am -
Yard Sale →
109 Court St, New Bedford
8:00 am
Friday August 7
Saturday August 8
Tuesday August 11
Wednesday August 12
Saturday August 22
📣 New Bedford Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
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Green Thumb Thursdays
Millicent Library Main Library , 45 Center St, Fairhaven, MA, 0
10:00 am -
History & Nonfiction Book Club
Millicent Library Rita E. Steele Auditorium , 45 Center St, Fairh
10:30 am -
Stardew Valley Gaming
Millicent Library Rita E. Steele Auditorium , 45 Center St, Fairh
1:00 pm -
Trivia Night →
Bayside Lounge, 125 Sconticut Neck Rd, Fairhaven
7:00 pm
Thursday August 6
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making New Bedford PatchAM possible:
- Happy Health Center — (508) 258-7500
Because staying home longer starts with staying engaged! - armus mechanical — (508) 521-9477
Trusted HVAC & Heat Pump Upgrades with Mass Save Rebates
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Good morning I have back stair platform.
I need wheelchair access instead of getting a traditional ramp. I would like to get a cement platform with a circular rolloff or slope on all sides. (Nextdoor Hawthorn St)
- Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in New Bedford. Apply here.
- O'Reilly Auto Parts posted a job opening for Assistant Store Manager in New Bedford. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near New Bedford here.
Ok New Bedford! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Because he felt CRUMMY ! (Thank you Michelle S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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