Month: May 2017

A Shore Thing Is a Sure Thing!

#Bridgeport CT–  Captains Cove and Seaport at 1 Bostwick Avenue in Bridgeport is a great place for people of all ages.  Next time you are down there you have to visit my friend Sue from a Shore Thing on the boardwalk.  At A Shore Thing you can purchase candy you use to get as child like the satellite wafers (sort of like communion wafers!),  the fortune bubble gum, Pop Rocks, Air Heads, Nerds,  candy buttons or my favorite the Chunky Bars!  You can create your own custom mermaid crown with shells, starfish and sand dollars.  You can also create your own custom locket, purchase nautical gifts, customized seashell signs,   sea glass jewelry and so many other things you can’t find anywhere else.  They also have a game for the kids to dig for gold coins to trade for prizes!  Oh and let’s not forget the salt water taffy!

 

They are open 12pm to 5pm Tuesday thru Sunday, but usually a little later on weekends.  Visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ashorethingcaptcove/

 

Bridgeport Launches ID Program

#Bridgeport, CT –Mayor Ganim, Senator Richard Blumenthal, City Council members and community leaders came together today to launch Bridgeport’s Municipal ID Card Program and to declare Bridgeport a ‘Welcoming City.’ Bridgeport’s Resident Card gives city residents the opportunity to obtain official government identification regardless of the individual’s immigration status or previous criminal history. Municipal ID’s can be used to access city services, register a child for school, obtain a library card, cash a check,  file a complaint with the police department, and many other purposes.

 

“We decided as a community to adopt the Bridgeport Municipal ID Card for the purpose of improving the quality of life for residents, enhancing the City’s reputation as a welcoming and inclusive community, and promoting a sense of shared identity for those who live in Connecticut’s largest city,” said Mayor Ganim.

 

Anyone that lives in the City of Bridgeport is eligible for a “Park City Resident Card,” regardless of their age, ethnicity, immigration status or previous criminal history, if they provide documentation that establishes proof of their identity and residency within the city. Cards may be obtained at the Office of Vital Statistics at the Margaret E. Morton Govt. Center, 999 Broad Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604.  The cards last for three years before expiration and are only $15. Applicants will not file any individual documents with Vital Statistics to receive an ID.

The cards feature the name, address, date of birth, expiration date, picture and signature of the individual, as well as other optional information such as an emergency contact and allergy information. The card features a holographic background and a raised tactile seal to protect the card against fraud.

 

According to the Center for Popular Democracy, “Without the right form of ID you may not be able to open a bank account or even cash a check, see a doctor at a hospital, register your child for school, apply for public benefits, file a complaint with the police department, borrow a book from a library, vote in an election, or even collect a package from the post office. The very people who are most in need of such basic services are also those who have the most difficulty obtaining the proof of identity that will allow them to access this services. These identification cards also have a symbolic importance as a sign of membership in the community.”

 

Goals of Municipal ID Card Programs

  • Improve community safety by making it easier for those without state-issued ID to interact with local authorities.
  • Improve access to financial services by providing a form of ID that will allow those without other forms of identification to open bank accounts.
  • Mitigate impact of racial profiling.
  • Make symbolic statement of welcome and solidarity to immigrant residents.
  • Promote unity and sense of membership in the local community among all residents.

Other cities that have implemented municipal ID card programs include New Haven, CT, Hartford, CT, New York City, NY, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, Chicago, IL, and Oakland, CA to name a few.

Fairfield Detective And Son Of Norwalk Mayor Arrested

#Fairfield CT–Fairfield Police Press Release: Over the last several weeks the Fairfield Police Department has been conducting both an internal investigation and a separate criminal investigation into the misappropriation of drug evidence by a Police Detective within the organization.

 

This investigation has culminated in the arrest on a warrant today of Detective Stephen Rilling, age 40, on the charges of Computer Crime 3 rd degree, Larceny in the 2 nd degree, Forgery in the 2 nd degree, Possession of Narcotics, False entry by an officer or agent of a Public Community and Tampering with evidence. He was processed and released after posting a $5,000 court imposed bond.

 

The inappropriate actions came to the attention of the department on April 12 of 2017. Det. Rilling was placed on Administrative Leave pending the results of an ongoing internal investigation. A subsequent criminal investigation was initiated in conjunction with the State’s Attorney’s Office, when it was determined there was evidence of violations of law. The time frame of this misappropriation shows a period from June 2016 to February of 2017.

 

For over a year the Fairfield Police Detective Bureau has been gathering information and data mining the increased instances of Heroin overdoses. We have also assessed the number of possession arrests that our police department has made, to understand trends, dangers and actions to address the increases. Other agencies have also begun sharing such information with law enforcement agencies, since this trend is affecting all our communities. Significant information can be gained by legitimate follow up and analysis of packaging, quantity, markings, and make up of seized narcotics. We have reviewed our policy as it relates to this access for follow up, and have implemented additional stricter procedures with our evidence officer to ensure safeguards, in order to prevent the misappropriation of evidence by a single officer. These new protocols include the requirement of supervisory approval, and dual signature for any follow up conducted regardless of assignment.

 

Additionally, the Chief ordered an audit of our evidence room, and revealed that with the exception of these cases affected by misappropriation, all other evidence was accounted for. No currency or other items of value were ever removed.  At no point was the structural integrity of our evidence room breached. Access to the evidence was through the property officer, who believed the removal was for valid and legitimate Law Enforcement purposes. At no point did anyone other than the property officer have direct access to our evidence room, nor was the chain of custody breached for cases unrelated to those cited.

 

We are working in close coordination with the States Attorney to determine a legal and proper disposition for those cases that were investigated and possibly affected by the misappropriation. The Men and Women of the Fairfield Police Dept., both sworn and non-sworn,  remain dedicated to serve this community with professionalism, integrity and honesty. This incident has troubled all of us within the organization, as we know it will the community as well. We pride ourselves on our openness and engagement with the community we serve. It was our responsibility to ensure that this incident was immediately addressed and investigated. That has been done. It remains our responsibility that we reaffirm to the Fairfield Community of our commitment to provide professional public safety Because of the ongoing personnel matter and administrative investigation, we will have no further comments until these matters are adjudicated.

End Possibility of Mileage Tax Study

#HARTFORD, CT – Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) today helped lead bipartisan passage of a bill ending the possibility of Connecticut joining a multi-state effort to study the implementation of a mileage tax. Senator Duff has been a strong opponent of the mileage tax since the idea was first floated in 2015.

 

After the state Department of Transportation in 2015 entered into a multi-state federal study to examine how vehicles travel along roads in the Northeast, Senator Duff strongly objected to a part of that study that evaluated a vehicle mileage tax.

 

“My reaction and the reaction of the Senate Democrats to this concept was quick and clear: a vehicle mileage tax does not have support here in Connecticut,” said Senator Duff. “Today’s bipartisan vote officially puts an end to this debate; however, it is still critically important that Connecticut pursue sensible solutions to fund our transportation infrastructure.”

 

Last month, the commissioner of the State Department of Transportation wrote to the I-95 Coalition ending Connecticut’s participation in the group coordinating the research of the tax. Today’s vote will prevent the state from reengaging in the process.

 

This press release was made possible by:

State Trooper’s Tips For Holiday Driving

Connecticut State Troopers are preparing for increased traffic during this Memorial Day weekend and summer 2017 celebrations and vacations.   State Troopers ask all drivers to utilize courteous driving skills, plan for traffic delays and make safety their top priority whenever they get behind the wheel. These actions will ensure safe travel to and from destinations. Some safety tips – and laws – to remember: buckle up, obey speed limits, don’t follow too close, remove distractions while driving, stay off the cellphone, and never drink and drive.

 

Connecticut drivers are asked to set an example for others by obeying all traffic laws. Together, State Troopers and state residents can keep Connecticut’s roadways safe for all. During this Memorial Day Weekend, motorists should be aware that Connecticut State Troopers will employ all methods of enforcement to increase highway safety. State Troopers will use laser units for speed enforcement, as well as marked, and unmarked, non-traditional police vehicles to patrol our highways and roadways.

 

Good driving skills, and patience, are essential to avoiding tragedies on Connecticut’s highways. The enforcement efforts of our Troopers – along with drivers who follow state law – are vital to maintaining danger-free roads for drivers and passengers. As part of its efforts, the Connecticut State Police will participate in the National C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) program over this Memorial Day Weekend. The goal of this operation is to join state police agencies across the country to enhance safety in all states. Motorists are reminded to expect heavy traffic, exercise caution and allow extra time to reach their destination.

 

The Operation C.A.R.E. holiday weekend will begin on Thursday, May 25, 2017, and will continue until midnight Monday, May 29, 2017.  Connecticut State Troopers are joining all state police agencies across the country, concentrating on enforcement of DUI and safety belt laws during the entire holiday weekend.   During Memorial Day Weekend 2017, Troopers will concentrate enforcement on all hazardous moving violations, seatbelt use and illegal cell phone use. Sobriety checkpoints will be set up at several locations throughout the state over the holiday weekend. (see attached list)   Again, Troopers ask all motorists to obey all traffic laws, pay attention to your speed, and if you plan to consume alcohol please designate a driver. If you see a suspected drunk driver report it immediately by calling 911, as this is a true emergency.

 

As a reminder, please remember, and obey, the Move Over Law when traveling this weekend, throughout the summer, and always. The Move Over Law requires “Any operator of a motor vehicle on a highway when approaching one or more emergency vehicles that are stationary or traveling significantly below the posted speed limit and located on the shoulder, lane or breakdown lane of such highway shall (1) immediately reduce speed to a reasonable level below the posted speed limit, and (2) if traveling in the lane adjacent to the shoulder, lane or breakdown lane containing such emergency vehicle, move such motor vehicle over one lane, unless such movement would be unreasonable or unsafe.”

 

During Memorial Day Weekend 2016, Connecticut State Troopers arrested 51 drunk drivers, charged 1263 motorists with speeding,  903 with seatbelt violations, and 4111 with Moving Violations. In addition, Troopers investigated 447 motor vehicle crashes, 74 of those with injury and 2 with fatality.

 

This press release is made possible by:

Road Construction To Cease During Holiday Weekend

#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that all regular construction-related activity on Connecticut state roads and highways will be suspended beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, May 26, 2017 and lasting through 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 30 in order to accommodate travelers during the busy Memorial Day holiday weekend.  Only work of an emergency nature will be performed during this period.

 

“Memorial Day has traditionally been the unofficial start of summer and one of the busiest travel days of the year, and we do not want our state’s residents to worry about any additional delays because of roadwork this weekend,” Governor Malloy said.  “Connecticut has many great places to visit this summer season, and I encourage all of our citizens to plan ahead and drive safely.”

 

“The Department of Transportation does its best to minimize the impact of road work on travelers,” Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner James P. Redeker said.  “We are now at the height of the construction season, with projects all around Connecticut.  Suspending work on a busy holiday weekend only makes sense.”

 

CTDOT is on pace to resurface 255 two-lane miles of state roadways this construction season, which typically runs each year from April 1 through November 30.

 

Commuters in Connecticut searching for real-time travel information should visit the CTDOT’s recently launched Travel Smart website at www.CTTravelSmart.org

 

.  The system incorporates data collected from the state’s robust Statewide Intelligent Transportation System network and Highway Operations Center and consolidates real-time travel information into a customizable, personalized user experience providing dynamic functionality, such as trip planning and subscription services.

 

This press release is sponsored by:

 

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