Month: January 2016

Low Interest Loans For Those Affected by the Charles Street Fire

WASHINGTON – Connecticut businesses and residents affected by the condominium fire in Bridgeport on Dec. 31 can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet announced today.

 

Contreras-Sweet made the loans available in response to a letter from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Jan. 8, requesting a disaster declaration by the SBA. The declaration covers Fairfield County and the adjacent counties of Litchfield and New Haven inConnecticut; Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester in New York.

 

“The SBA is strongly committed to providing the people of Connecticut with the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist businesses of all sizes, homeowners and renters with federal disaster loans,” said Contreras-Sweet. “Getting businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”

 

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim said, “The fire in the condominium complex on Charles Street in Bridgeport on New Year’s eve was devastating and more than 100 families were left homeless. While nothing can truly replace what was lost in that fire, this federal SBA program can really help residents and businesses get back on their feet after this disaster. I thank Governor Malloy and the SBA for so quickly responding to the needs of the Bridgeport families impacted by this horrible fire. I also encourage any victims of this fire to step forward to see if you qualify for this financial assistance.”

 

Businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses and most private nonprofit organizations of all sizes, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

 

The Center is located in the following community and is open as indicated:

 

Fairfield County:

Margaret Morton Government Center (City Hall Annex)

Conference Room A and B on the 1st floor

999 Broad Street

Bridgeport, CT 06604

 

Opens: Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 8 a.m.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tues., Jan. 26 and Wed., Jan. 27

Closes: Thursday, Jan. 28 at 3 p.m.

 

“Loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East in Atlanta. SBA’s customer service representatives are available at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center to answer questions about the disaster loan program and help individuals complete their applications.

 

Interest rates are as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.625 percent for nonprofit organizations, and 1.813 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amount and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

 

Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Some improvements now include a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by a similar disaster.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website athttps://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

 

Businesses and Individuals may also obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’sCustomer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded at www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be returned to the center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

 

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is March 21, 2016. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Oct. 21, 2016.

UPDATE on Home Invasion–Victims Were College Students

On 01/23/2016 at approx. 1648 hrs. Patrol Units were dispatched to 3105 Old town Rd. regarding a home invasion/robbery with gunshot fired. Detective Bureau also responded and investigated. A crime scene was secured and photographed as well as packaging material,(plastic bags), and a video surveillance monitor seized while on the scene. One 40 caliber shell casing and one spent bullet fragment was also recovered and later turned into the  property room for future analysis by the detective bureau.

All other evidence was turned into the property room as well. Three male suspects were responsible for forcing the front door of the residence and then assaulting the three male occupants inside the residence (pistol whipping) them and one of the suspect’s  then fired a gunshot from a hand gun downstairs in the finished basement area. The downstairs area was ransacked by the suspects, who were described by the victims, as dressed in dark clothing and 2 were wearing a black and orange ski masks. The third suspect was described as a  light skinned possible hisp. male with long curly hair and had his face covered.

The 3 victims advised that they were Sacred Heart college students and 2 of the victims  identified as Daniel Wrona, DOB- 05/28/95 and Austin Maggiolo,DOB- 04/29/95 were transported to St. Vincent’s hospital E.R. via ambulance, for treatment of head laceration injuries. The third victim identified as Aaron Liebenthal DOB- 10/19/93 sustained minor swelling to his side of head but refused medical attention at this time.

The 2 victims were interviewed at the hospital and the third victim was interviewed at the scene .This Case remains under investigation.
. The victim’s cell phones ,jewelry-watch were reported taken during this home invasion.

(Bridgeport Press Release)

 

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Suicide in Fairfield During Storm

#Fairfield CT–There was a suicide by gunshot earlier this afternoon in Fairfield   Please lift a special prayer for all those left behind and all the first responders who rushed to the scene in the middle of the blizzard hoping to save him.  This post has been intentionally delayed.  If you heard the location on your scanner please respect the privacy of the family and not say where.  Please say a quick little prayer for all involved.

 

Bridgeport News: Home Invasion

4:50pm–#Bridgeport CT–A home invasion just occurred in the 3500 block of Old Town Road.  The victim said 3 masked men entered his home started shooting and robbed him.  The victim fled to Palmetto Road (behind Old Town Road) where he called.  A second call came in from Palmetto Road that there was a man with a bloodied head running from someone in his backyard.  Police are just arriving on the scene.

 

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GOV. MALLOY UPDATE ON SNOW CONDITIONS

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy this afternoon released the following statement regarding snow conditions in the state:

“We are closely monitoring storm conditions, which vary greatly from area to area. Right now, southwestern Connecticut and towns along the shoreline are seeing the most accumliation, with travel along the I-95 corridor and the Merritt experiencing low visibility. I am encouraging those in the southern part of our state to remain off the roads if possible.

“The Department of Transportation currently has 543 plow trucks deployed, focused on the Fairfield county and shoreline areas. My office and I are in continuous communication with agency leadership and we continue to get real-time updates. With disparities in the weather and different areas seeing different conditions, I am encouraging everyone to stay safe and use their judgment. Drivers in those communities most impacted by the weather conditions are urged to avoid unnecessary travel at this time. We will continue to provide updates as needed. There are no requests for state assistance at this time, but our agencies stand ready to help when and where needed.”

 

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