1:07pm–#Bridgeport CT–How about some likes for Bridgeport Police Officers Perry and Salemme III for rescuing a 90-year-old wheelchair bound man from 293 Willow Street?!! Heavy smoke was entering the house next door and the officer then rescued another senior citizen from that home as well. The officers were too humble to be photographed or to be interviewed. Officer Salemme III was featured on DoingItLocal not too long ago for buying a meal for a homeless man.
Firefighters were quick on the scene confirming heavy fire on the first and second floor of the house. In the 12 minutes it took me to travel to the scene firefighters had the fire out and were chasing hot spots. There were no reported injuries. When I left the scene Officer Perry was trying to convince the 90-year-old man to be checked out by EMS.
11:07pm–#Stratford CT– Report of a rollover accident on Ferry Boulevard in front of Riverview Bistro Restaurant. Everyone has safely made it out of the vehicles.
#Bridgeport CT– Police are looking for two males who fled in a white Kia after stealing over $2,000 in merchandise from the CVS at 1086 East Main Street.
Bridgeport, CT – Mayor Ganim is announcing that The United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service has been granted funding that will help landowners with property who were impacted by Hurricane Sandy and Irene.
“I am pleased to know that our coastal homeowners are being offered this funding to provide options moving forward. The money will help homeowners who were severely impacted by the hurricanes and give then an alternative, rather than reside in the path of a future storm,” said Mayor Ganim.
To be considered for this program, applications must be completed and submitted by October 10, 2018 to USDA-NRCS, 344 Merror Road, Tolland, CT 060084, Attn: Kristin Walker. Easement compensation rates and ranking priorities vary by location and depend on where the land is in the floodplain and how it is used. This program offers landowners the option to place a permanent easement on their property for a one-time purchase price. This option is available to landowners where acquiring an easement is the best approach to reduce threat to life and/or property.
This program purchases the permanent easements on eligible lands and restores the area to natural conditions. NRCS’ goal is to fill areas between existing easement properties, to implement more complete restoration and improve flood resiliency. Private land damaged by Hurricane Irene and Sandy are eligible if they are in a floodplain that is in the FEMA AS Zone or higher. Funding preference is given to lands that are contiguous with other permanently protected lands where NRCS can maximize the restoration effort and improve flood storage and protection.
Bridgeport residents that have questions or need further assistance may contact Joe Gresko, Green Projects Manager, Mayor’s Office, 203-576-7201.
12:19pm–#Westport CT– Staples High School is being evacuated due to a chemical smell on the second floor. Police are on the scene, firefighters are on the way.
#Westport CT– On 09/23/2018 at approximately 5:30pm, Officer Ruta Pratt observed a vehicle traveling on Elm Street with no registration plate displayed. Officer Pratt initiated a motor vehicle stop at the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and Violet Lane and found the vehicle bore an expired Rhode Island temporary registration, which was later determined to be fraudulent. While speaking with the occupants, she detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The operator was identified as Kirk Brodie, 28, of Bridgeport, CT who claimed ownership of the vehicle. A backup officer arrived on scene and spoke to passenger Mark Elliot, 25 of Bridgeport, CT. The officer observed Elliot was attentive to his phone during the stop and was receiving multiple text messages. The officer was able to observe one of the text messages, which appeared to be related to and consistent with narcotics sales. Officers had both men exit the vehicle.
During the course of a pat-down, a scale was located in the pocket of Elliot’s pants. Brodie was found to be in possession of a large amount of cash. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers located .11 ounces of marijuana in the glove compartment and a loaded 9mm handgun in the trunk. The handgun contained a high capacity magazine. Due to Brodie’s criminal history, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.
Both males were taken into custody and transported to headquarters. Brodie was charged with 53a-48 Conspiracy to Commit (Sale of Controlled Substance), 29-33 Sale, Delivery, or Transfer of Pistols or Revolvers, 29-38 Weapons in Vehicles, 29-35 Carrying Pistol or Revolver Without Permit, 53a-217c Criminal Possession of a Pistol or Revolver, 53a- 217 Criminal Possession of Firearm/Ammunition/Electronic Defense Weapon and 53-202 Possession of High Capacity Magazine. Brodie was additionally issued an infraction for Failure to Display Registration Plate and Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle. Brodie was held in lieu of $100,000 bond and was transported to Norwalk Court for arraignment on 09/24/2018 At headquarters, officers discovered Elliot had secreted an additional .87 ounces of marijuana in his underwear. Elliott was charged with 21a-277(b) Sale of Controlled Substance, 53a-48 Conspiracy to Commit (Sale of Controlled Substance) and 21a-267 Possession Drug Paraphernalia. He was held in lieu of $20,000 bond.
UPDATE: A police report said a 9-year-old student had run out into the road and into the path of a southbound vehicle as she was trying to catch her school bus that stopped on Pinehurst Street. The striking vehicle was driving around a Greater Bridgeport Transit bus that had stopped for passengers at the same location. The child has a leg injury. No charges have been filed but the investigation continues.
8:15am–#Trumbull CT– A Middlebury Elementary School student was crossing Main Street at Pinehurst Road when she was struck by a car. Dr. Gary Cialfi, Superintendent of Schools messaged parents that there are no life-threatening injuries and that police are investigating the circumstances to the accidents.
