Month: June 2014

Himes, Blumenthal, Murphy, and Finch Applaud $10 Million Grant for Sandy Recovery and Resiliency Efforts

 

Federal funding will help protect Bridgeport housing from future storms and floodwaters 

 

WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch lauded the announcement earlier this week of a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to further recovery and resiliency efforts in Bridgeport following Superstorm Sandy. This funding was awarded through the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery Program to help implement innovative resiliency projects proposed in the Rebuild by Design competition, including Resilient Bridgeport.

 

“As we continue to recover from the worst storm in our region’s recent history, we must work to protect vulnerable coastal neighborhoods from future devastation,” Congressman Himes said. “Since Sandy, I have worked tirelessly with my colleagues and HUD to secure recovery and mitigation funding for our area, including for these innovative resiliency projects in Bridgeport. It is not enough that we reconstruct existing homes, businesses, and infrastructure – we must build them to withstand future disasters to better protect our citizens and prevent enormous economic and personal loss.”

 

“Nearly 18 months later, Bridgeport and other Connecticut coastal communities are still feeling the economic impact of Superstorm Sandy,” Senator Blumenthal said. “Even as we applaud this critical funding to help Bridgeport rebuild and recover, we must do more as a nation to address the long-term effects of climate change. Deadly, destructive storms are becoming the new normal and this is our last best chance to save the planet.”

 

“Recovery from a storm of Hurricane Sandy’s magnitude has not been easy, but our state’s strength and resolve has carried us forward. This funding will help repair the significant damage caused by the storm. But almost more importantly, it will help Bridgeport prepare for the next one – a seemingly inevitable event given the tangible effects climate change is having on the Northeast. I’ll continue working with my colleagues to secure funding and pass legislation that will strengthen Connecticut’s infrastructure, and slow the pace of global warming,” Senator Murphy said.

 

“This is great news for our city,” said Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch. “We put forth a vision to make Bridgeport a city where in order to mitigate climate change, we’re creating green jobs while investing in the future to make our city a more resilient place for our kids and grandkids to live, work, and raise a family. These much needed funds will help us to continue doing just that. Thanks to Congressman Himes, Senator Blumenthal, Senator Murphy, Shaun Donovan and others at HUD for their confidence in the Park City.”

Multi-Town Town Police Pursuit

A multiple town pursuit started by that began on 1-95 NB at exit 17. As police approached the vehicle took off and led Westport on a pursuit down to exit 19 where Fairfield and State Police assisted once it exit the 19 off ramp .  The vehicle continued to flee down the Post Road back  into Westport  before making a turn heading eastbound on the Post Road.    After being boxed the vehicle jumped the curb and drove on the grass towards Sasco Hill in Fairfield where spike strips were attempted to be deployed. The suspects drove around and were boxed in a short way down the road. There were two in custody. Great coordination between Westport, Fairfield and State Police in ending it quickly.

Here is the Westport Press Release:

On 06/04/14, Westport Police Officer David Scinto observed a suspicious vehicle in the area of the

Saugatuck train station parking lots off of I-95. A registration check of the vehicle found that the plates

did not match the vehicle. The vehicle proceeded northbound on I-95 where Ofc Scinto conducted a

traffic stop of the vehicle in the area of exit 18. As he approached the vehicle, the operator drove away

at a high rate of speed in an attempt to elude the officer. Ofc Scinto attempted to stop the vehicle as

it traveled northbound on I-95. Fairfield and the CT State Police were notified and assisted when the

vehicle exited I-95 at exit 19 in Southport.

As the vehicle exited the off ramp at exit 19, the operator drove at both Ofc Scinto and Fairfield Police

units narrowly missing the vehicles. The operator continued eastbound on RT 1 in Fairfield where he

eventually stopped his vehicle in the area of Sasco Hill Rd in Fairfield.

The operator was taken into custody and transported to Westport Police Headquarters.

Arrested:

Nelson Rivera (age 35) of 2426 East Main St, Bridgeport CT

Charges:

Criminal Attempt at Assault on Officer CGS 53a-49/53a-167, Interfering w/ an Officer CGS 53a-167a

Possession of Narcotics CGS 53a-279(a), Possession of Narcotics not in original container CGS 21a-257

Disobeying signal of Officer / Elude CGS 14-223(b), Reckless Driving CGS 14-222,

Operating Motor Vehicle W/O Insurance 14-213(b), Failure to display plates CGS 14-18(a),

Misuse of Registration Plates CGS 14-147(c), and Operate an unregistered vehicle CGS 14-12(a)*

Bond has been set at $10,000 and he has a court date of June 11, 2014

5:39pm–#Bridgeport CT–Firefighters respond to an oven fire at 210 Washington Avenue.  The fire was extinguished prior to firefighters arrival.  Firefighters find that the fire did not extend anywhere else.  But now you know what the commotion was about!

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