Month: August 2021

2021-08-13@1:30pm–#Fairfield CT– I know its hot but first responders are on their way to the elderly housing at 20 Trefoil Court for a woman stuck in her refrigerator.

More like Micalizzi kind of day!

WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the Open App Markets Act, which would set fair, clear, and enforceable rules to protect competition and strengthen consumer protections within the app market. Two companies, Google and Apple, have gatekeeper control of the two dominant mobile operating systems and their app stores that allow them to exclusively dictate the terms of the app market, inhibiting competition and restricting consumer choice. 

“This legislation will tear down coercive anticompetitive walls in the app economy, giving consumers more choices and smaller startup tech companies a fighting chance,” said Blumenthal. “For years, Apple and Google have squashed competitors and kept consumers in the dark—pocketing hefty windfalls while acting as supposedly benevolent gatekeepers of this multi-billion dollar market. I’m proud to partner with Senators Blackburn and Klobuchar in this breakthrough blow against Big Tech bullying. This bipartisan bill will help break these tech giants’ ironclad grip, open the app economy to new competitors, and give mobile users more control over their own devices.”  

“Big Tech giants are forcing their own app stores on users at the expense of innovative start-ups,” said Blackburn. “Apple and Google want to prevent developers and consumers from using third-party app stores that would threaten their bottom line. Their anticompetitive conduct is a direct affront to a free and fair marketplace. Senator Blumenthal, Klobuchar, I are committed to ensuring U.S. consumers and small businesses are not punished by Big Tech dominance.”

“Competition is critical to protecting small businesses and consumers, spurring innovation, and promoting economic equity. But as mobile technologies have become essential to our daily lives, it has become clear that a few gatekeepers control the app marketplace, wielding incredible power over which apps consumers can access. This raises serious competition concerns,” said Klobuchar. “By establishing new rules for app stores, this legislation levels the playing field and is an important step forward in ensuring an innovative and competitive app marketplace.”

Mobile devices are central to consumers’ economic, social, and civic lives, and the mobile app market is a significant part of the digital economy. In 2020 alone, U.S. consumers spent nearly $33 billion in mobile app stores, downloading 13.4 billion apps.

According to numerous reports, including testimony provided in a Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee hearing held in April and chaired by Klobuchar, both Apple and Google have appeared to use their powerful gatekeeper control to stifle competition in the app store market. For example, Apple has prevented the creation of third-party app stores on iPhones, required that apps exclusively use their own expensive payment system, and penalized app developers for telling users about discounted offers. These strict terms close off avenues of competition and drive up prices for consumers. Startups also face serious challenges when Big Tech gatekeepers are able to prioritize their own apps to the disadvantage of others, make use of competitors’ confidential business information, and block developers from using features on a consumers’ phone.   

The Open App Markets Act would protect developers’ rights to tell consumers about lower prices and offer competitive pricing; protect sideloading of apps; open up competitive avenues for startup apps, third party app stores, and payment services; make it possible for developers to offer new experiences that take advantage of consumer device features; give consumers more control over their devices; prevent app stores from disadvantaging developers; and set safeguards to continue to protect privacy, security, and safety of consumers.

The Open App Markets Act has been endorsed by a number of technology and consumer groups, including Consumer Reports, Internet Accountability Project, Public Citizen, Coalition for App Fairness, Color Of Change, News Media Alliance, Public Knowledge, Lincoln Network, Consumer Action for a Strong Economy (CASE), Digital Progress Institute, Electronic Frontier Foundation, American Principles Project, and the American Economic Liberties Project.

“The targeted market rules proposed in this legislation will help create an app ecosystem that is fairer and more competitive, and will enable unfettered innovation by all companies – big and small – to the benefit of consumers,” said Sumit Sharma, Senior Researcher, Technology Competition at Consumer Reports. “The legislation is crucial as smartphones have become central to our digital ecosystem, and apps are increasingly the primary mode for consumers to access online services.”

“There’s no doubt the fight against Big Tech is a battle of David versus Goliath,” said Mike Davis, Founder and President, Internet Accountability Project. “The Internet Accountability Project applauds Sens. Blackburn, Blumenthal, and Klobuchar for their bipartisan leadership. The Open App Markets Act takes a serious crack at breaking up Big Tech monopolies and increasing competition and innovation, all while protecting user privacy. Startups should have a fighting chance against monopolists, and this legislation takes an important step toward ending the crushing dominance of Big Tech.”

“The power of large app stores to extract enormous profits is a direct result of the anticompetitive and unfair way in which the stores are operated and controlled,” said Alex Harman, Competition Policy Advocate at Public Citizen. “This bipartisan legislation will open up the app stores to more competition, protect small app developers, and lower prices for consumers.” 

“Since launching CAF, we have worked toward creating a fairer and more competitive app marketplace for both developers and consumers,” Meghan DiMuzio, Executive Director, Coalition for App Fairness. “The bipartisan Open App Markets Act is a step towards holding big tech companies accountable for practices that stifle competition for developers in the U.S. and around the world. CAF is proud to stand with Senators Blumenthal, Blackburn, and Klobuchar and we thank them for their courageous and visionary leadership on this important issue.”

“It is past due Big Tech companies like Apple and Google are forced to loosen their stranglehold on small businesses,” said Arisha Hatch, vice president of Color Of Change. “Monopolized digital industries drain any opportunity for small business owners and only centralize power to the already massive tech corporations — and congressional legislation is our greatest tool to combat them. The Open App Markets Act is the kind of legislation necessary to ensure greater protections for small and medium sized developers, especially those who are Black and people of color. Color Of Change commends Senators Blumenthal, Blackburn, and Klobuchar for challenging Big Tech’s widespread power and implementing the effective legislation that will guarantee greater opportunity for Black developers and their communities.”

“The News Media Alliance supports competition in the distribution of content,” said David Chavern, President and CEO, News Media Alliance. “We applaud Senators Blackburn, Blumenthal, and Klobuchar for their leadership in removing roadblocks and unnecessary fees associated with apps that allow news publishers to disseminate and monetize quality journalism.”

“Users expect their mobile devices to keep them protected and their personal data safe, but the same practices intended to protect users can also be used to restrict fair competition,” said John Bergmayer, Legal Director at Public Knowledge. “The Open App Markets Act will ensure fairness for both users and developers without forcing security or privacy compromises, resulting in greater consumer choices and lower prices in the app ecosystem.”

“The proliferation of digital walled gardens has led to a range of new challenges to free speech, competition, and human rights. Yet, many recent proposals for tech regulations have been punitive and heavy-handed. Such an approach threatens to weaken the American innovation ecosystem, ultimately increasing costs and reducing options for consumers,” said Zach Graves, Head of Policy, Lincoln Network. “The Open App Markets Act offers a better way forward, taking a light-touch regulatory approach to increase market competition and empower consumers with more options (and to vote with their feet). While all such regulations have tradeoffs, I believe this legislation strikes the right balance, allocating appropriate exemptions for privacy and security, and avoiding overly-cumbersome design mandates. Under this law, consumers will be more free to choose their digital world.”

“Mobile apps are a driving force in bringing new technologies into our digital economy while generating billions of dollars in GDP,” said Gerard Scimeca, Chairman, CASE. “Through this important piece of legislation, Senators Blackburn, Blumenthal, and Klobuchar have taken an enormous step forward in working to ensure that the mobile app market is open, fair, and not beholden to anti-competitive actions or incentives. If passed into law, the Open App Markets Act will play a major role in securing America’s continued leadership in digital innovation that benefits all consumers and every sector of our economy.”

“The Open App Markets Act represents a thoughtful and pragmatic approach to facilitate equity in the app economy,” said Joel Thayer, President, Digital Progress Institute. “This Act would provide small-business developers with the appropriate leverage to challenge large app store platforms’ often mercurial standards and forced taxes on their innovative products. The Digital Progress Institute welcomes this much needed and bipartisan reform to the tech ecosystem.”

“Senators Blumenthal, Blackburn, and Klobuchar recognize that independent 3rd party developers are being restricted in anti-competitive ways that impact what users pay for video games and other software,” said Ernesto Falcon, Senior Legislative Counsel at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. “The Open App Markets Act will put a stop to these practices, which will lower the costs for both developers and their customers by setting forth common sense competition policy for the industry.”

“A healthy free market requires open and fair competition,” said Jon Schweppe, director of policy and government affairs, American Principles Project. “Unfortunately, Big Tech companies have rigged the game by engaging in anti-competitive practices that restrict the ability for innovators and entrepreneurs to challenge their market dominance. This not only distorts the free market at large, but it harms consumers directly. The Open App Markets Act gets to the heart of the problem with the app store market: Google and Apple have leveraged their market power to prevent any of their competitors from achieving a foothold, resulting in higher prices and a lack of choices for consumers. Sen. Blackburn deserves a great deal of credit for taking on this challenging issue and doing so in a bipartisan manner. American Principles Project is proud to support the bill.”

“I applaud Senator Blackburn, Senator Blumenthal, and Senator Klobuchar for their leadership in working to rein in Big Tech,” said Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Brendan Carr. “The gatekeeper power that corporate behemoths now exercise over the app economy is harming consumers and competition. This legislation is a thoughtful way to eliminate those harms while promoting innovation.”

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2021-08-10@5:38pm–#Fairfield CT– Police were called under “See Something, Say Something” for a suspicious package on the path to the beach. A large bag or pillow case found ticked up with hair sticking out of it. Police said it contained a couple of chickens, some cut up vegetables and loose change, theorized to be a religious offering. The caller offered the officer a large trash bag and the contents were properly disposed of.

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FAIRFIELD, Connecticut – Deaths due to drug overdoses take the lives of over 47,000
Americans each year and is the leading cause of death in Americans under the age of 50. According to the Connecticut
Department of Public Health, there were 1,373 confirmed overdose deaths in Connecticut in 2020, a 14.3% increase
when compared to 2019.
International Overdose Awareness Day takes place on August 31st every year. People and communities come together to
raise awareness of one of the world’s most urgent public health crises – one that, unfortunately, is only getting worse.
In Honor of International Overdose Awareness Day, the Fairfield Health Department, along with Fairfield CARES, and the
Fairfield Police Department will be hosting the 4

th annual Overdose Awareness Vigil. The International Overdose
Awareness Day Vigil will take place on Tuesday, August 31st, 2021 on the Fairfield Sherman Town Green at 7pm.

We encourage those who attend the event to participate as much as possible. During the vigil, there will be a candle-
lighting and we hope to inspire attendees to join in and share their stories. All information from the event, along with

additional resources, is available on our website.
This Candlelight Vigil is a place for people to come together who have lost loved ones due to an overdose, for those in
recovery, for those who know someone struggling with the hardship of addiction, and for anyone who would like to support
community members or learn more. This is a time for us to remember those in our community we have lost to this terrible
disease, and to find the strength and support to fight for those we know currently battling with addiction. All are welcome
to attend.
In 2020, fentanyl was responsible for 84% of the overdose deaths in CT. From 2015 to 2020, there have been 38 drug
overdose deaths in the Town of Fairfield alone. These deaths, as well as many others, could have been prevented.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, it is imperative to seek help in order to prevent further drug
overdose deaths. Please visit https://www.fairfieldct.org/Opioids and/or https://www.fairfieldct.org/fairfieldcares for
resources on treatment and additional information. Drug addiction can happen to anyone. Helping people that have a drug
addiction is the only way to stop overdose deaths.
Fairfield CARES Community Coalition is a task force established in 2009 by the Fairfield First Selectman’s Office with the
focus on preventing substance misuse, fostering social and emotional wellness and resilience among youth, young adults,
and families. The Coalition builds capacity, mobilizes the Fairfield community, and develops comprehensive strategies to

help families make healthy choices that allow youth and young adults to thrive. Fairfield CARES envisions a community
that promotes healthy, responsible choices through prevention and education for youth, young adults, and families.
For questions about the Vigil and for more information please contact the Fairfield Health Department at 203-256-3150.

2021-08-12@12:33pm–#Bridgpoert CT– A man was injured by a chainsaw on the hand and taken to the hospital by EMS.

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2021-08-12@2:30am– Police are reporting that a 2015 Kia Optima was taken on Carleton Avenue by 3 black males who assaulted the owner.

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NORWALK, CT (Aug. 11, 2021) – Help give Long Island Sound that extra little sparkle by joining
a beach clean-up on Mon., Aug. 16 at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport.
The clean-up is from 10 a.m. to noon. Bags and gloves will be provided. Volunteers should bring
their own water, and meet at the pavilion near the main beach parking lot.
Monday’s clean-up launches the fifth annual #DontTrashLISound campaign led by the Connecticut
Sea Grant program, with support from Save the Sound, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk and
other groups.

This year’s #DontTrashLISound campaign, run by the Connecticut and New York Sea Grant
programs with support from the Long Island Sound Study, continues through International Coastal
Cleanup Day on Sept. 18. There will be clean-up events in both states, social media posts and
giveaways of “Protect Our Wildlife” stickers for reusable water bottles and travel mugs.
The theme of this year’s campaign, #DoOneThing, encourages people to take at least one action to
reduce litter on streets, parks and beaches before it gets carried into waterways and ultimately Long
Island Sound.

“Campaigns like this one help keep people aware of the larger marine debris problem affecting Long
Island Sound,” said Nancy Balcom, associate director of Connecticut Sea Grant. “They also help
people focus on doable actions that we can all undertake with as much or as little effort as we have
time to commit.”

See the full schedule of clean-ups in Connecticut this fall – and sign up – at
www.savethesound.org/2021cleanup.
For more details on the #DontTrashLISound campaign, contact Judy Benson of CT Sea Grant at
judy.benson@uconn.edu.

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UPDATE: Sounds like it’s over, police are looking for a black Chevy Silverado now.

2021-08-11@7:10pm–#Danbur CT– Danbury Police looking for mutual aid for surround towns for an active shooter at the Danbury Mall at 7 Backus Avenue. No further details.

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Reported on 8/6 at approximately 7:00 AM-Mona Terrace’s Child Care Center reports vandalism over the past few nights. Complainant stated that between Wednesday 8/4/21 5:30 PM and Thursday 8/5/21 06:30 AM someone had written racial slurs in a Sharpie on one of the back doors.

The next night (8/5/21 5:30 PM  and 8/6/21 06:30 AM) garbage and broken glass had been scattered in their back lot under and around the solar panels.

Reported on 8/6 at approximately 11:35AM- 3000 block of Park Avenue report of vandalism to the front door, possible burglary. Resident left home Wednesday (8/4/2021) around 3:40 PM. When returning home on 8/6, at approximately

11:30 AM, resident discovered forced entry to the home. Home appeared ransacked. Undetermined extent of what is missing at this time.

 VANDALISM TO      STRUCTURE   | 200 Block of  STILLSON RD   |  VACANT HOUSE WAS SPRAY PAINTED LAST NIGHT   

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Westport, CT –First Selectman Jim Marpe issued the following update today:

Due to increasing COVID cases in Fairfield County, Westport residents are strongly encouraged to wear a mask in indoor public spaces, whether located in retail establishments, restaurants, gyms, workout studios or other businesses, as well as galleries, museums, performance spaces or government buildings. The CDC has designated Fairfield County as having “substantial” community transmission, out of the low, moderate, substantial and high rates.  Currently 90 percent of all COVID cases in CT are of the Delta variant.

Last week, Governor Lamont issued an Executive Order that provides municipal leaders with the option of requiring masks in indoor public spaces within their respective towns and cities for all individuals regardless of vaccination status. Westport is not mandating masks at this time. However, given the rapid spread of the Delta variant, we are requesting that residents return to a higher level of vigilance. This pandemic does not know borders or buildings. The Delta variant is much more contagious than COVID-19 and extra precautions are warranted. Wearing a mask and exercising caution whether it is in Westport, another community, or in a place of business should be consistent.

Town officials have listened to other communities and understand that varying approaches are being explored relative to increased mask usage, particularly based on community size, density, and transmission rates. We also understand that some businesses in Westport, including most gyms and some restaurants, have returned to requiring masks for all visitors, customers, and staff. Most retailers are requiring staff to wear a mask. We request that everyone respect and comply with the conditions set by these individual establishments.  

While those who are being hospitalized due to COVID are overwhelmingly unvaccinated, there is still cause for concern among the vaccinated. The Delta variant of COVID is very new and more is discovered each day about vaccine efficacy. It is beneficial for everyone’s health and safety to wear a mask because it protects yourself and others and slows the spread. Some within our community are unable to be vaccinated, including children under 12, so it is incumbent upon us all to help protect others. From the beginning of this challenging time, I have stated, “we are in this together.” Now more than ever, that message is important. In my opinion, the personal choice to wear a mask reflects compassion for all of our neighbors, families and friends. 

We continue to urge all who are eligible to get vaccinated. Studies show that any side effects are temporary or very rare. With a high vaccination rate, mutual cooperation, patience and understanding for adhering to the safety protocols, Westport can keep the spread of COVID to a minimum.

Municipal Buildings:

Town Officials have implemented the following safety protocols at Town Hall, the Westport Library and other town facilities:

Regardless of vaccination status,

• Visitors and patrons of all town buildings including the library are required to wear a mask.

• Walk-ins will continue to be allowed in Town Hall. Visitors must follow contact tracing, mask requirements, temperature checks and other safety protocols upon entering.  As an alternative, it is recommended that the public consider the town’s online services or other options for in-person meetings. 

• Town Hall staff are required to check their temperature upon entering work for the day and wear a mask in the common public areas.

• Town and Library employees will return to weekly testing for COVID for their safety and for the safety of any visitors. 

• First Responders will wear masks when interacting with the public indoors

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