(Update 6/18/21) The adult female who was found deceased in the home at 1 Lyndale Park has been positively identified as forty-six-year-old Tracy Do. The deceased juvenile also resided at the above address and is Ms. Do’s daughter.
On June 18, 2021, the two deceased individuals were brought to the State Medical Examiner’s office in Farmington to be autopsied. The Medical Examiner determined that the seven-year- old had drowned and ruled her death a homicide. The Medical Examiner ruled Ms. Do’s death a suicide. The Westport Police Detective Bureau along with the State Police Western District Major Crimes Unit continue to investigate the facts and circumstances related to these two deaths.
Chief Koskinas stated that “this is a horrible tragedy, and the police department is keeping the family as well as the community that was so deeply affected by this in our thoughts and prayers.” At this time, we are not releasing any further information related to this case.
#Westport, CT At approximately 4:00 p.m. on this date the Westport Police Department along with Westport Emergency Medical Services and the Westport Fire Department responded to a home in Westport on a report of an unresponsive female. Upon arrival, an adult female was located inside the home, and it was determined that she was deceased. After finding the female, the officers went through the interior of the residence to determine if anyone else was inside. It was at that time that officers located a seven-year-old child who was also deceased.
The Westport Police is in the beginning stages of this investigation and is being assisted by the State Police Major Crimes Unit. This appears to be an isolated incident and we do not believe that there is any active threat to the community.
2021-06-17@7:25pm–#Fairfield CT–#cttraffic– A crash on I-95 southbound near exit 23. One car is in the left lane and the other car is further up. No word on any injuries.
STRATFORD – Mayor Laura R. Hoydick announced today that Captain Jermaine B. Atkinson has been named the new Deputy Fire Chief for the Town of Stratford. Atkinson, a member of the Department since July of 2001, is currently serving as Training Captain and Safety Officer as well as Deputy Emergency Management Director for the Town of Stratford.
Atkinson replaces Michael Hostetter, a former retired Stratford Deputy Fire Chief who has been serving as interim Deputy Chief since January of 2020 and will be retiring once again.
“Jermaine Atkinson has had an outstanding and distinguished career as a firefighter here in the Town of Stratford, and has been an absolutely essential part of our Town’s emergency response framework in a variety of roles,” said Mayor Hoydick. “I am very excited to see Jermaine bring his energy, expertise, and professionalism to this new role as Deputy Fire Chief, and I look forward to working with him in this new role. I also want to thank Michael Hostetter for returning to service when we needed him, and the capable and professional service he has given us as interim Deputy Chief.”
“As a Firefighter, Lieutenant, and a Captain, Jermaine Atkinson has been indispensable in his work with our department and our larger public safety framework,” said Stratford Fire Chief Brian Lampart. “Jermaine’s 20-year career here in Stratford reflects the professionalism and skills needed as he meets the challenges of this new role, and I am pleased to see him take on this position.”
“I am honored to accept this new role in the service of the people of Stratford, and I thank Mayor Hoydick and Chief Lampart for the confidence they have shown in me by making this appointment,” said Atkinson. “I look forward to working with the Chief to continue the excellent service the Stratford Fire Department provides the Town of Stratford.”
Atkinson served as a Stratford Firefighter until June of 2011, when he was promoted to Lieutenant. In 2016 he was promoted to Captain/Safety Officer where he coordinated and directed the training operations for the full Fire Department, coordinated EMS training for the department to maintain compliance, and created training lessons and objectives for required OSHA mandates among his many duties.
The promotion takes effect on July 2nd of this year.
On 06-17-2021 Kevin Beason, age 23 of Stratford was arrested in connection with a shooting that occurred on Garibaldi Avenue in Stratford. The shooting took place on 06-01-2021. Beason was arrested by warrant and subsequently held on a $250,000 dollar bond. He is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Court on 07-15-2021.
Beason was charged with: Criminal Attempt at Assault 1st Degree Reckless Endangerment Weapon in a Motor Vehicle Criminal Possession of a Firearm Carrying a Pistol without a Permit There were several witnesses to the shooting and Investigators are asking anyone with further information to contact Detective Torres or Detective Policano at 203-381-2098.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), along with U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and U.S. Representative Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) on Thursday unveiled legislation that would invest in safe and nurturing school climates that support all students and address the over-policing of our nation’s K-12 schools.
The data shows that counselors, social workers, psychologists and other trained professionals actually improve social and educational outcomes for kids in schools—whereas the involvement of police in schools leads to the criminalization of students, particularly students of color and students with disabilities. The Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Actwould prohibit the use of federal funds to increase police presence in schools and instead provide $5 billion in new grant funding to help schools hire more counselors, social workers, and other behavioral health personnel and implement services in schools that create positive and safe climates for all students.
“Right now, too many students, and often kids of color or with disabilities, are arrested by police in schools. The classroom should be a safe place to learn, and the data shows that having counselors and other licensed professionals on staff actually leads to better educational outcomes,” said Murphy. “I’m re-introducing legislation that would give school districts new resources to increase the presence of support personnel in schools so kids are arrested less and have qualified professionals around to address disciplinary issues in a way that makes students feel supported. It’s just one way we can start to chip away at the racial inequities in our educational system and make sure all kids have a safe place to learn and grow.”
“Every student deserves to learn in a setting free from fear, but when our education system is intertwined with the criminal legal system, students of color, LGBTQ+ students, and students with disabilities are disproportionately criminalized for normal childhood behavior and are put on a pathway to confinement,” said Pressley. “Our bill would address this by shifting federal resources away from school police and investing in culturally responsive nurses, mental health professionals, and other trauma-informed staff that are proven to help our youth grow and reach their full potential. We must root out systemic oppression everywhere it exists—including in our schools—and I thank my colleagues for their partnership in this effort.”
“Counselors, nurses, social workers, and educators belong in schools. Police do not,” said Warren. “Our bill will bring us one step closer to ending the militarization of our public schools that disproportionately hurts Black and Brown students, ending the school-to-prison pipeline, and ensuring we give every child the resources they need to feel safe and thrive.”
“We need to root out systemic oppression in schools. This challenge might seem insurmountable, but there are clear next steps on the path forward,” said Smith. “We should start by removing police from schools and hiring more school counselors, social workers, and other behavioral health personnel to improve school culture and outcomes for students. By transforming the way that schools approach discipline, we can decrease the criminalization of all students, especially students of color and students with disabilities.”
“Every single student deserves a quality education, and the support to make that possible. But in districts across America, educational outcomes are radically unequal, particularly for children of color and kids with disabilities. In my hometown of Minneapolis, black students are 41% of the student population, but make up three quarters of all suspensions. At one middle school in my district, African American students are 338% more likely to be suspended than their white peers, according to the most recent data. Kids need support, not punishment. I am proud to join this bicameral effort to invest in social workers, counselors and personnel in schools to make sure our most vulnerable kids have the support they need,” said Omar.
“Stationing police officers in places of learning creates an environment of criminalization from an early age — making it more challenging for our children to focus on their learning, growth, and unlocking their full potential,” said Bowman. “When we put an officer in a school, we’re sending a message that our children require surveillance. When we put a counselor in a school, we’re sending a message that our children deserve nurturing and support. The emotional, mental, and social trauma of the past year and beyond makes the Counseling Not Criminalization Act even more urgent. Our Black and brown students have shouldered a disproportionate burden during the pandemic, and we know they face a disproportionate amount of policing and criminalization in school. Let’s act now to decrease police presence and provide our schools with resources for counseling and mental health support students deserve.”
“For decades, policymakers have stripped critical resources away from social services such as education and mental health while investing over a billion dollars towards policing schools; thereby exacerbating the school-to-prison-and-deportation pipeline,” said Dmitri Holtzman, campaigns manager at the Center for Popular Democracy. “This legislation is a crucial step towards addressing the criminalization of students in school –– particularly students of color and students with disabilities –– and responds to young people’s demands for police-free schools, as articulated in the Youth Mandate for Education and Liberation.”
“The cops in our schools are the same cops that control, terrorize, and criminalize Black, Brown and poor people on our streets,” said Katherine Dunn, Director of Advancement Project National Office’s Opportunity to Learn program. “It’s past time that we listen to young people who are demanding Police Free Schools and an end to the system that disproportionately harms and oppresses youth of color. Advancement Project National Office is proud to support this effort to shift federal resources away from school policing and towards the supportive, restorative resources that our kids need to learn, grow, and thrive.”
“I grew up in a predominantly Black and brown neighborhood where I have watched the impact that policing has had in our schools,” said Mariet Leana, youth leader at Make the Road New York and Urban Youth Collaborative. “I have witnessed young people lose their hope and feel that schools are no longer safe places for them because of an overwhelming number of police officers and so few counselors, therapists and other support services that students need to thrive. The Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act will invest desperately needed resources into the support that students need: counseling — not criminalization.”
Prohibits the use of federal funds for maintaining police in schools: Since 1999, the federal government has spent more than $1 billion to support the increased presence of police in schools. However, evidence does not show that this investment has improved student outcomes and school safety. This legislation would prohibit federal funds to support the hiring, maintaining, or training of police officers in K-12 schools and instead divert that funding toward the many other uses related to school safety within applicable grant programs.
Invests billions to help schools hire counselors, social workers, and other trauma-informed support personnel necessary to create safe and inclusive learning environments: The legislation helps districts build safe and inclusive schools by establishing a $5 billion grant program to support the hiring of counselors, social workers, nurses, school psychologists, and other personnel. Further, the grant program helps districts implement strategies to improve school climate, such as school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports, and invest in trauma-informed services and professional development. As more school districts choose to move away from policies that criminalize students and push them out of school, this historic investment will ensure districts have the necessary resources to provide students with the supports they need to feel safe in school and thrive.
Incentivizes states and districts to bring an end to the criminalization of young people, particularly Black, Native American and Latino students, immigrant students, students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students and other historically marginalized students and instead invest in safe and nurturing environments where all students can thrive.
This press release was made possible by:
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2021-06-17@12:31pm–#Fairfield CT– A woman hit Pearl Vision Eye Center at 1910 Black Rock Turnpike. There was minor damage to the building and the woman refused medical treatment.
2021-06-17@11:40am–#Bridgeport CT– A child was struck by a car outside Waltersville School on Hallett Street. The child was alert and speaking with first responders and transported to the hospital. This was right after Waltersville Graduation. News12’s Frank Recchia was on scene with a live report here: https://www.facebook.com/fprecchia/videos/4608146542529234
#FAIRFIELD, CT – Monday, June 14, 2021 — Make Music Day Fairfield returns to Fairfield on Monday, June 21, 12-9pm. Make Music Day is a free, outdoor music festival celebrated worldwide on the Summer Solstice each year. Music Performed by Anyone, Enjoyed by Everyone. A Free Celebration Open to Anyone of Any Age, Skill Level and Musical Persuasion! First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said, “I am excited for the return of live music and hope residents enjoy the local musicians who will be performing. I want to thank everyone who worked to put this fantastic day together for the benefit of our community.” “Music by the People, for the People.” Unique and special for 2021, Make Music Day Fairfield kicks off at Sherman Green Gazebo at 12 Noon with a special event called “This Moment in Time”. Chris Frantz, author of bestselling memoir “Remain in Love” and Tina Weymouth, both of Talking Heads band, will join musicians all around the world in ringing gongs exactly at noon to mark the incalculable loss of the year. This initiative memorializes the devastation of the pandemic while also celebrating the hopefulness of the future and the reemergence of live music. Also at the Town Gazebo, at 12:30pm there will be a bucket drum circle and instruction with Jim Royle. Mark your calendars as free drumsticks will be given to the first 15 attendees. At the Fairfield Main Library at 3 pm there will be a Harmonica Huddle. Not only will there be free instruction with William Henning but free harmonicas will be given to the first 25 attendees.
From 3-9pm amazingly talented musicians are schedule to be performing all over town! Check back here frequently to find a list of participating venues and performers! fairfield@makemusicday.org Highlights to note: Fairfield Native and current Nashville resident, Molly Murphy, back in town to play MMF with three performances scheduled (Gazebo 3pm, 608 Harbor Road 6pm, JB Percivals 7:30pm) A beloved local band kicks off the evening events at the FTC Parking Lot: At 6:30pm catch The Low Darts, a fantastic band of incredibly talented Fairfield Warde alumni and seniors. Another option during the 6pm hour, at the Southport, Ye Yacht Yard Lower Wharf from 6-7pm, Serendipity Winds, Woodwind Quintet will play as the sun sets at the end of Harbor Road. Event organizers encourage the community to check the website daily for up to date listings at www.makemusicday.org/fairfield. Currently the roster includes 48 performances at 17 venues! Final Schedule to be published on Friday 6/18. For more information, please contact: fairfield@makemusicday.org or Lou Heumann directly at 203-246-2222.
This press release was made possible by:
Visit BMW of Bridgeport at: https://www.bmwofbridgeport.com/
#Bridgeport CT– #ctfire– Last night was Chief Richard Thode’s retirement party. I don’t always attend retirement parties but this one I couldn’t miss to wish the chief well. Through the years he earned my respect not just in his knowledge but also in how he treats people. From the beginning he knew we both had a job to do and he made it a point to serves the people of Bridgeport by letting them know what is going on, whether it be a recent fire, fire prevention or new equipment to better serve his community and he earned my respect as a great leader. He will be taking his wealth of knowledge and people skills to the city of Danbury be their fire chief. Although not officially announced, Bridgeport will be in good hands with Chief Edwards taking his place.
I will miss seeing you at the fire scenes Chief Thode! God Bless.
