Month: December 2019

Murphy Wants To Battle Russian Influence

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Tuesday applauded the inclusion of his measure, the European Energy Security and Diversification Act, in the government spending bills to be voted on this week. This legislation, for the first time, allows the United States to help finance strategic energy projects in Europe and Eurasia. This is a substantial new tool for the United States to combat malign Russian influence and create economic opportunities at home and abroad. The bill was introduced by Murphy, along with U.S. Senators Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Europe Subcommittee, Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), ranking member of the Europe Subcommittee, Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.).

“Putin would be far less powerful if Europe and surrounding countries were not highly dependent on Russian oil and gas. Russia may hesitate to invade a NATO country, but they are actively pushing a predatory energy policy to gain political and economic leverage. That’s exactly why we should help finance energy independence projects in and around Moscow’s periphery, especially those that contribute to renewable energy goals. This is the smart thing to do for transatlantic security and redresses an asymmetry that’s a choice—America and its allies don’t have to be powerless in the face of Russian energy dominance. I’m glad we’ll have a chance to vote on this legislation through the spending bills,” said Murphy.

The European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019 as included in the FY20 omnibus would:

  • Authorize approximately $1 billion in financing from FY20-FY23 to catalyze public and private sector investment in strategically important energy projects in European and Eurasian countries.  This is a new tool to counter Russia’s predatory energy policies and promote the energy security of U.S. allies and partners;
  • Increase funding for the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) by $31.5 million for FY20 to help connect American companies to business opportunities and provide feasibility studies, reverse trade missions, pilot projects, and technical workshops to support projects in the earlier stages of development; and
  • Encourage the State Department to ramp up its political and diplomatic support to eligible countries such as by facilitating negotiations for cross-border energy infrastructure and assisting eligible countries improve their energy markets and regulatory environments.

This legislation cleared the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week. Murphy questioned State Department’s Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale and Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation Christopher Ford this month when they appeared before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee about the need to create energy independence from Russia. Murphy also gave remarks this month at the Atlantic Council’s conference on U.S. strategic interests in Ukraine, where he addressed the need to support energy independence in Europe as a way to combat Russian influence.

 

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Bridgeport Alerts N Texts

Bridgeport CT –  City of Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center Director, Scott Appleby is advising residents to sign up for Veoci alerts. Veoci is a communications system designed to provide residents with important weather, emergency and community updates as well as related information such as road closures, school closings, and power outages.

“The four facets of preparedness here in the City of Bridgeport are: have a kit, make a plan, get involved, and be informed,” said Director Appleby. “Being informed is the number one way to make sure you’re prepared and to ensure you have the right instructions.”

The main goal of the Veoci system is to quickly spread accurate information with collaborating City departments, as well as to residents.

Residents may sign up to receive Veoci alerts at https://www.bridgeportct.gov/emergencymgmt.

 

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Trumbull Police Update On Mall Brawl

2019-12-26@7:00PMish–Numerous teenagers were involved in several altercations at the Westfield Trumbull mall on Thursday evening, prompting a significant police response to restore order. Shortly before 7 p.m., several Trumbull police officers were patrolling the mall on foot when they were notified of a fight that broke out between several teenagers on the upper level near the Target store. The responding officers were able to break up the melee and detained six (6) of the subjects as they attempted to flee. As the crowd dispersed, other groups of teens congregated at other locations throughout the mall and more fights broke out.

 

Due to the large crowds and the disorderly conditions, Trumbull Police requested mutual aid and were assisted by officers from Bridgeport PD, Fairfield PD, and Monroe PD. K-9 officers were also used to disperse the crowds and escort groups of teens out of the mall. Trumbull EMS and AMR also assisted and treated three individuals who were injured during the altercations. One involved a juvenile male who was transported to St. Vincent’s Hospital, and another involved a juvenile female who was transported to Bridgeport Hospital; both suffered minor injuries. One bystander suffered minor injuries as well, but declined medical attention. The Westfield Trumbull Mall remained open during the scheduled business hours, as officers escorted a large number of teens out of the mall, and the atmosphere returned to normal shortly after 8 p.m.

 

As a result of the incident, Daniel Vasquez, age 19, of Bridgeport was arrested and charged with Breach of Peace. He was given a court date of January 2, 2020, to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court. Six (6) juveniles were also arrested and charged with Breach of Peace and Interfering with Police.

 

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Fight At Trumbull Mall

Police UPDATE: Daniel Vasquez, 19, of Bridgeport, and six juveniles were arrested and charged with breach of peace.  3 people were injured.  Trumbull police called for mutual aid from Bridgeport, Fairfield and Monroe and K9 officers responded to help break up the crowd.  The mall management refused to shut down according to multiple police radio reports.

 

2019-12-26@7:44pm–#Trumbull CT– Surrounding police giving mutual aid to Trumbull for fights breaking out at the Westfield Mall on Main Street.  Police radio reports are saying it is being organized on social media.  Anyone have any screen shots or other videos?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq9sFD7E9kA

 

 

 

FED Assistance On Election Interference

Hartford, CT) – , U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill  announced success in the fight for critically needed funding to protect election integrity that they advocated.  As a result of their fight, along with others, Congress just approved $425 million for states to enhance election technology and make election security improvements.

Blumenthal advocated for not only more funding, but also has helped lead the fight for more funding for voting systems, has helped lead several measures to protect the integrity of our elections, and hold accountable anyone who attempts to interfere in our democratic process. These measures include legislation that would make it a federal crime to hack any voting system used in a federal election, create a duty to report attempts by a foreign agent to interfere in an election, require federal cybersecurity standards for voting systems, and provide states with funding to strengthen election cyber defenses.

Previous federal grants have supported Connecticut purchasing new voting equipment, security enhancements and training for officials, nationally-recognized auditing procedures, and improvements to voting accessibility.

 

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