HARTFORD, CT – Following his veto messages issued on Friday evening, Governor Ned Lamont released the following statement regarding the vetoes he penned on three bills:
“In issuing these three vetoes, I did so only after careful consideration and deliberation about not only the underlying cause of concern, but also in understanding the message that this action would send.
“In all three cases, my veto pen was used on behalf of the workers and consumers in this state who don’t have lobbyists to mount a campaign against the special interests that too often try to determine our legislative agenda and focus.
“In particular, on the issue of restaurant workers, this bill deprives these individuals of their day in court and the earned wage to which they may be entitled. It is an attempt by the legislature to go back in time to change the law which governed the wages these workers earned at the time they performed their work. This type of retroactive maneuver is unfair and constitutes a dangerous precedent for workers and employers across our state. Further, it’s important to note this bill was passed without debate or public hearings at the eleventh-hour on the last day of the legislative session.
“As a small business owner myself, I uniquely understand the impact these types of lawsuits could have on business operations and productivity. But this is not the way to solve for this concern. The idea that government can seize someone’s property or wages on a whim is wholly un-American and most likely unconstitutional. That’s not pro-business, that’s not smart business, that’s bad business.”
#Norwalk CT– On June 21, 2019, the Norwalk Police Department Patrol Division investigated a complaint involving Kohl’s Loss Prevention Officer Edwin Espichan. The parents of two female juveniles reported that the juveniles were detained by Espichan in the Kohl’s security office at 500 Connecticut Avenue. During their detention, Espichan asked for sexual favors in lieu of the police or their parents being called. Detective Marquis and Detective Lapak of the Special Victims Unit assumed the investigation. The Special Victims Unit’s investigation further revealed that one of the juveniles was sexually assaulted by Espichan while detained. The juvenile victims were eventually released after being detained for over an hour. Later that day Espichan contacted one of the juvenile victims via social media.
Based on the Special Victims Unit investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for Espichan. On July 12, 2019, Special Victims Unit Detectives arrested Edwin Espichan without incident at 500 Connecticut Avenue, Kohl’s.
Arrested: Edwin Espichan, date of birth 02-12-84 of 9 Chestnut Hill Avenue White Plains New York.
Charges: Sexual Assault 4th, Reckless Endangerment 2nd (2 counts), Unlawful Restraint 1st (2 counts) and Disorderly Conduct (2 counts).
Bridgeport Police have identity of the victim from the homicide on 7/13/19 is identified as Sean Warren, 17 years old of Bridgeport.
On July 12, 2019 at 2311 hours, Bridgeport Police received a report of shots fired and a victim shot in the area of Horace Street and York Street. Responding officers located a 17 year old male who sustained at least one gunshot wound to his chest. This male was transported to Bridgeport Hospital by medics where he died at 0027 hours on July 13, 2019 after exhaustive efforts by ER staff to revive him. Officers encountered two large parties taking place at this location with many people on the street after the shooting occurred. Detectives remain at this location and are processing a crime scene and interviewing witnesses. The victims identity is being withheld at this time pending autopsy. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Bridgeport Police at 203-576-TIPS (8477).
2019-07-13 @11:15PMish–Around 11:15 police received numerous calls for a man shot in the chest at Horace and York Street. According to radio reports a firearm was recovered at the scene. At this time there has been no word on the man’s condition but witnesses said he appeared to be in serious condition.
2019-07-13 @ 12:23am–#Bridgeport CT– Don’t go to sleep yet Bridgeport! Report of an odor of gas indoors in the 700 block of Howard Avenue. Here come a bunch of firetrucks to wake you!
This news report is made possible by our safe heating sponsor!
2019-07-12 @ 5:29pm–#Bridgeport CT– A reported overturned sailboat in the Southport Harbor. The two occupants have life preservers on and are in no distress.
2019-07-12 @ 5:20pm– #Bridgeport CT– First respnders on the way to the 16000 block of Fairfield Avenue for a 2 year old who ingested birth control pills.
Today we stopped by Forza Ristorante at 3171 Fairfield Ave in Bridgeport (across from Taco Loco). Inside it had a clean, sleek modern look. There is seating on the outdoor patio but unlike most restaurants in Black Rock there is plenty of free off street parking. Very clean. The ristorante is not your typical Italian restaurant with the standard food. Although you can find many of your favorite Italian dishes, many of the dishes are lighter and they also offer sandwiches. Freshness is the key.
Eric, the owner prepared for me a dish he calles Shrimp Colasacco. As Eric made it he told me about how he named the dish after racer Joe Colasacco. The restaurant has a Formula One theme. Shrimp Colasacco is a great summertime dish and was put together well and timely, each ingredient needing to be placed in at the right time including asparagus, shallot, tomato, and spinach, keeping the fresh flavor of the ingredients.
Patrick is the general manager, some of you may know as the owner of the O Bar in Fairfield. It’s clear from talking with Eric and Patrick that they are passionate about what they’re doing at Forza, and it certainly does show.
HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont is encouraging families in Connecticut who are concerned about separation due to raids by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) to utilize a toolkit offered by the state that provides a user-friendly, step-by-step guide for parents who seek to have a plan in place for the safe care of their children in the event that they are detained or deported.
Available in nine languages, the State of Connecticut’s Family Preparedness Plan includes a guide on steps people can take on their own – without the help of an attorney – to develop a child care plan, and includes important forms and documents that families can fill out and store in a safe place where they can be accessed if needed. The plan also includes information on where to find immigration legal assistance, and guidance on how to avoid immigration scams.
The toolkit can be downloaded online as a PDF document through the Office of the Governor’s website by visitingportal.ct.gov/FamilyPreparedness.
There is no cost to complete any of the forms contained in the toolkit, and they may be completed without the involvement of attorneys or any court.
It has been electronically distributed to a number of partnering organizations throughout Connecticut, including town governments, school districts, libraries, legal service organizations, and the United Way 2-1-1. Other groups are encouraged to download it and share it with interested parties who may find it useful.
“For many families right now, the fear of separation and detainment is tangible and all too real,” Governor Lamont said. “Many children involved in these situations are United States citizens themselves. We want to ensure that parents know they have the ability to designate a standby guardian to prevent their children from being placed in state care in the event they become separated.”
“From ICE raids, to separating families at the border, locking children in cages, and weaponizing the census, the Trump administration has created a climate of fear in immigrant communities and communities of color in Connecticut and across the nation,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “Following yesterday’s order, we continue to be alarmed and disturbed by the president’s use of the power of information held by federal agencies as a tactic to insight fear across the nation.”
Attorney General William Tong has joined coalitions of attorneys general in challenging the President’s national emergency declaration to build a border wall; blocking the president from adding a citizenship question to the 2020 Census; defending the human rights of immigrant children in ICE detention; opposing a proposed rule that would deny housing assistance to families that include any undocumented immigrants; and has worked to protect and defend immigrants and immigrant families in Connecticut.
“From the moment he announced his candidacy, the president has pursued a policy of cruelty and has done everything he can to instill fear and chaos into our communities,” Attorney General Tong said. “He has separated families, invaded our cities to round up immigrants, and tried to use the census to frighten immigrants and people of color. His campaign of fear is intended to weaken our communities and defeat the rule of law. The Attorney General’s Office will keep fighting against these cruel and inhumane policies, to keep families together, and to ensure that every person is counted.”
“We must work day in and out to counteract the fear and anxiety this administration has created,” Secretary of the State Denise Merrill said. “While the administration sows fear of deportation and immigration raids, we work to ensure that families know their rights. When the administration spreads doubt and misinformation designed to create a census undercount, we redouble our efforts to accurately count every person in Connecticut. The destructive policies of this administration risk doing great harm to the most vulnerable members of our community. I’m proud that Connecticut is standing up to protect our friends and neighbors.”
“We will not tolerate the shameful rounding up of families, the separation of children from parents and ruling by fear,” StateComptroller Kevin Lembo said. “The federal administration has fully lost its way, but Connecticut will remain a place of safety and hope for all families and children. I commend Governor Lamont for his leadership in protecting families and Attorney General Tong for his ongoing fights to uphold the law and hold our federal government accountable.”
“Everyday we awake to experience another attempt to harm individual rights by curbing liberty and reversing decades of progress that bettered this nation,” State Treasurer Shawn T. Wooden said. “We stand today, in Bridgeport, and in communities across America, with all those who embrace our shared democratic values – which have long welcomed immigrants from across the globe to our shores. We believe that our nation is greater, and stronger, when we work to promote and protect freedom for all people, regardless of background, faith, and color. That is the story of America, and the one that will far outlast those who seek to divide and oppress.”
On Friday, July 12th, 2019, at approximately 0045hrs, officers were dispatched to an address on Spring Street on the report of a domestic violence incident. It was reported by dispatch that the responsible party arrived home intoxicated, assaulted the complainant, and subsequently strangled her cat to death.
Upon arrival to Spring St, the responsible suspect was not on scene. The female victim stated that she and her boyfriend engaged in a verbal argument which escalated into a physical altercation approximately at 0035 hours upon confronting her boyfriend about arriving home late and intoxicated. She stated that he became irate and began striking her multiple times with closed fists. He then got a hold of her 8-week old kitten and began strangling it by its neck, subsequently killing the kitten. Upon observing the kitten officers were able to confirm that the cat was deceased. The suspect was said to had fled on foot once the woman informed him that she was contacting the police. According to the victim, the suspect has been living with her on Spring Street. He has no other known addresses.
The victim refused medical assistance as she had minor lacerations to the right side of her face. The boyfriend is currently on probation, reportedly for assault and strangulation. Police began canvassing the area for the boyfriend and were unsuccessful in locating the suspect. This is open investigation and police will continue to attempt to locate the suspect.
2019-07-12 @ 12:44am–#Bridgeport CT– A “man” visited his girlfriend on Spring Street allegedly intoxicated and allegedly beat the woman and killed her cat. The “man” is on probation.
