Two police officers have their weapons at the ready during a standoff on Ebony Street in Fairhaven on 9/2/24 when a 56-year-old man refused to leave his trailer after allegedly assaulting his mother and her husband. The standoff ended peacefully, Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
Fairhaven police responded to 166 Ebony Street on West Island with seven cruisers, unmarked cars, and mutual aid vehicles on Monday, 9/2/24 at about 4:30 p.m.
The initial call reported that two people were on the floor and being assaulted.
When police arrived they discovered the suspect barricaded inside a camper armed with a knife. Police would not identify the man, citing the Domestic Violence Act of 2104. But Neighb News sources have confirmed he is Daniel Costa, 56, who has a long criminal history.
His mother, Jacqueline DeCosta, 75, lives with her husband Antonio Alfonso, 82, at that address. The couple was inside the home during the standoff which lasted until 8:15. They refused medical treatment from the ambulance that stood by during the incident.
Police turned off electricity to the property, used the drone to flash lights into the trailer, and used a bullhorn to try to get Mr. Costa to leave the trailer.
Two nearby homes were evacuated so police could maintain a safe perimeter around the property. Both Ebony and Dogwood Streets were blocked off. About 30 neighbors stood around the perimeter watching, along with news crews from several local TV stations.
After about 4 hours, at 8:15 p.m., he surrendered to police.
Police have been called to the property several times a month, and sometimes several times a week during the past year, due to Mr. Costa’s behavior.
Neighbors say he routinely threatens people and their pets who walk by and swears at the neighbors when they are in their yards.
On August 6, police took him into custody after he allegedly tried to break into a nearby home with a hammer, while a woman and her two young children were inside.
In a press release, police said he suffered a “mental health emergency.” (See 8/8/24 issue)
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