Month: August 2020

Fairfield Police Need Your Help

#Fairfield CT–During the early morning hours of August 26, 2020, Fairfield Police were alerted to several motor vehicles that were broken into in the Lake Hills section of town.

 

Police received reports from 8 separate complainants in the Lake Hills area reporting their vehicles were entered overnight and their personal belongings were stolen. In one of the incidents, a victim on Papurah Road had his wallet stolen from his vehicle, as well as packages stolen from his front porch. That complainant provided investigators with Ring Door Bell video that depicts 2 males running up to the front door of his home where packages were left outside overnight. This occurred at 4:30am. Alarmingly, one of the suspects is captured on the video holding a silver firearm, just feet from the complainants’ front doorstep. The suspects take the packages and fortunately flee without incident. (See Attached Video)

 

Hours later, these suspects are captured on surveillance video utilizing the complainant’s stolen credit cards at a gas station in Wallingford, Connecticut. (See Attached Still Images) Police are urging residents to remove valuables and secure vehicles to help minimize the temptation that may lure dangerous criminals to neighborhoods. Leaving valuables in vehicles with the doors left unlocked creates a target-rich environment for these crimes to occur.

 

Police also urge residents to not confront suspicious individuals as they may be armed and dangerous. Should you see something suspicious in your neighborhood call the police immediately. Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying these individuals. Anyone with information is asked to call the Fairfield Police Department Detective Bureau at 203-254-4840.

 

Norwalk News: Candle Starts Fire

Norwalk Fire responded to a house fire at 9 Marlin Drive. The fire started in the second-floor bedroom after a candle fell off the table.

The one occupant evacuated with no injuries. There was fire damage to the bedroom and hallway and smoke damage to the rest of the house.

The fire is still under investigation and the home is unfit for occupancy, displacing one man.

Fire marshal reminds us that when using candles as a light source during power outages, make sure they are away and clear of all combustible materials.

 

This news report is made possible by:

 

University Of Bridgeport Grant

Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) announced that University of Bridgeport received a $261,886.00 Student Support Services grant from the Department of Education, which will provide students from low-income families with academic advising, career counseling, tutoring, peer mentors, financial aid, workshops and seminars, and additional services.  

 

“Access to higher education can’t be a luxury – it is an economic imperative and the best way to increase opportunity for every student, no matter where they live or what their family’s financial situation,” said Congressman Jim Himes. “If we want America to remain competitive in a 21st century economy, we have to ensure low-income students have the support they need to complete their degree and start their career. University of Bridgeport Student Support Services’ federal grant will increase the retention and success for University of Bridgeport students” 

 

“The Student Support Services Grant is an intricate part of University of Bridgeport and serves to support many students of the University in more than one way,” said Chrystie Cruz, Director of Student Support Services at University of Bridgeport. “It has been woven into the fabric of the University and serves to assist students in need of learning to navigate the higher education world such as academia, financial aid, social interactions, and personal/professional growth.  Over the next five years, the Grant will provide extensive support in the following areas: Financial literacy, Financial Aid information, and academic success tips.” 

 

According to University of Bridgeport, the Student Support Services Program (SSS), funded by the Federal TRIO Programs, is designed to identify and provide services to a selective group of college students who meet eligibility criteria.  All of the services are available at no cost with the intent of assisting students in accomplishing their goal of graduating from University of Bridgeport. Click here to learn more about the Student Support Services Program. 

 

This press release was made possible by:

 

Visit BMW of Bridgeport at: https://www.bmwofbridgeport.com/

Water Rescue During Storm

2020-08-27@8:00pm–#Bridgeport CT– Firefighters have been dispatched for 3 people on the rocks at Seaside Park west beach during the thundershowers passing by.  The uber fireboat (Zodiac) was dispatched to bring them back in.  It’s possible they might be delayed due to the storm.

 

This news report is made possible by:

 

Visit our sponsor AFC Urgent at: https://www.afcurgentcarebridgeport.com/

Bridgeport Awarded $434,000 Federal Grant to Improve Port Security and Water Rescue Equipment

Bridgeport, CT – Mayor Ganim, Bridgeport Federal delegation members, EOC Director Scott Appleby, Bridgeport Fire Chief Thode, and Police Department members joined to announce that the City of Bridgeport has been awarded a $433,616 federal grant to improve port security and water rescue equipment to ensure that the city’s security infrastructure is established, and able to save lives and property.

The allocation of the federal Port Security grant will benefit three City of Bridgeport projects:

Virtual Shield Protect Our Port initiative –  $280,312

Replacement of 25 cameras, 1 server, and 9 wireless links at Bridgeport Harbor, replacement of 15 cameras and installation of 10 cameras at the Bridgeport Ferry Terminal. Port Critical Infrastructure Key Resources Ingress/Egress routes to receive 25 access points, 50 camera licenses, labor, and hardware.

Police Maritime Security Vessel Equipment – $105,345

Police Respond Vessels equipment to be replaced: 30′ Derektor, 2 outboard propulsion engines, generator, fenders, and batteries.  21′ Zodiac outboard propulsion engine, search light, battery and charging systems. Additionally, radio communications on all vessels will be replaced.

Zodiac Rescue Boat Replacement – $47,959

Replacement of 24 year old, 12’ Fire Department Zodiac Rescue Boat

Mayor Ganim, “As Bridgeport’s waterfront becomes more robust with economic development and recreational activities, having the security infrastructure for our harbors is imperative to supporting the growth. Port security and safety initiatives are critically important in saving lives and the functionality of the State’s largest city, and second largest port.”

EOC Director Scott Appleby stated, “These port monies allow us to become more resilient from all types of hazards but, most importantly, it’s a proven strategy that we’ve developed here in Bridgeport to protect our port which has been largely funded by our federal delegation. We hope to continue that because there is a lot more growth here in the City of Bridgeport going on.”

Senator Blumenthal stated, “Our ports have tremendous, unrealized potential for commercial and recreational purposes. What we are doing here is investing in our ports—both security and rescue – so we can tap that potential in the future.”

Congressman Himes stated, “We’re a small state—we have two senators and five members of Congress. The only way we win these grants is by working together as a family. We think differently about a lot of things, but we come together to fight hard for the kinds of resources that will go to work in Bridgeport to keep things safe and secure.”

Fire Chief Thode, “We look forward to the updates to critical infrastructure and equipment to benefit homeland security and safety initiatives, Bridgeport’s Emergency Operation Center, much needed updates to the Police marine fleet equipment and a replacement of a small, outdated shallow water rescue boat for the Fire Department– which has already rescued 57 people this year.”

The Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) provides funds to state, territorial, local, and private sector partners to support increased port-wide risk management and protect critical surface transportation infrastructure from all hazards.

 

This press release is made possible by:

 

Visit BMW of Bridgeport at: https://www.bmwofbridgeport.com/

Westport News: Criminal Lockout

#Westport CT–  On the evening of Monday July 13, 2020, police responded to a complaint of a tenant
being denied access to her rental property by her landlord. Responding officers met with the
victim, who explained that she had been renting a room at a residence owned by Gail Heitz.
She alleged that she was unable to access her room that evening due to the garage code being
modified and not provided to her. As this was her only way of accessing the property, it
required her to find other accommodations for the night. When officers were able to arrange a
time for the victim to retrieve her property from within Heitz’ residence, it was again noted that
the garage code had been changed, once again restricting access. Based on the investigation,
an arrest warrant was sought and granted for Heitz.

On the evening of Thursday August 20, 2020 Heitz responded to police headquarters in
regard to this active warrant. Based on the warrant, Heitz was charged with 53a-214 Criminal
Lockout. She was released on a written promise to appear. She is scheduled to be arraigned at
Norwalk Superior Court on the morning of Monday September 21, 2020.

 

This press release was made possible by:

 

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