On August 2nd, 2021, US Marshalls Violent Fugitive Task Force made up of several BPD Detectives, Federal Agents along with the United States Marshals Service, did an outstanding job apprehending suspect Dominique Jones DOB 5/29/1993. The Bridgeport Police Detective Bureau obtained an arrest warrant for Jones stemming from a daytime shooting which occurred on 2/16/2021. The shooting occurred on the city’s west side near the intersection of Maplewood Avenue and Howard Avenue. Jones is a convicted felon who has been previously charged and convicted on separate firearm related charges.
2021-08-03@6:40pm–#Bridgeport CT– Firefighters and marine unit dispatched to rescue people on the seawall again at Seaside Park in front of the cannons.
#Bridgeport CT– #Fairfield CT– Many of you have reached out to find out when the milling/repaving on Fairfield Avenue will be completed. I checked and found out the worst is behind us. Milling is completed and repaving has begun.
The resurfacing segment of this project is anticipated to be performed on Sunday, July 18, 2021, through Thursday, August 12, 2021.
This project is included in the Department of Transportation’s 2021 Vendor Resurfacing Program.
Motorists can expect lane closures on Route 130. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will be utilized to guide motorists through the work zone. The night work schedule for this project is 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. (Sunday night through Saturday morning).
Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to remain alert, drive cautiously, and to maintain a safe speed when driving in this vicinity.
Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) announced that Sacred Heart University, Fairfield University, and University of Bridgeport will receive $4,904,990 in grant funding from the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program (BHWET). This Health and Human Service program works to increase access to quality mental health services by increasing the number of mental health professionals.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the number of Americans experiencing difficulties with mental health,” said Himes. “In 2020, we saw a nearly 30% increase in drug overdose deaths, partially caused by pandemic-related stress and lack of access to mental health services; the shortage of mental health professionals is a major contributor to this lack of access. As our communities move past COVID-19, a lot of the trauma remains, which is why ensuring there are enough mental health professionals in our area is more urgent than ever. I’m pleased to see federal dollars come to the district for such a worthy cause and I’m committed to increasing federal funding to address the mental health crisis.”
“Fairfield University is committed to the professional development of men and women who serve others,” said Dr. Christine Siegel, Provost of Fairfield University. “We are at our best when we do this work in partnership with the community and in-service to those most in need. We are proud to receive this HRSA grant which will support a diverse student population in our excellent graduate mental health programs in ways that contribute to the well-being of individuals and families in Bridgeport and other local communities.”
“The COVID 19 pandemic has highlighted how factors such as job security, health insurance, and healthy food impact health outcomes, and how difficult it can be for many in marginalized communities to access high quality medical and behavioral health care,” said Dr. Julie Berrett-Abebe, LICSW, Assistant Professor, Family Therapy & Social Work, School of Education & Human Development. “Funding through the BHWET grant will allow us to better train our behavioral health graduate students to work in innovative integrated care models in underserved areas. By collaborating with community partners and harnessing the strengths of the community and professional team members, we hope to contribute to reducing disparities and improving health in Connecticut.”
“Clinical Researchers developed these therapies that are proven to help people, but dissemination to community clinics is slow,” said Dr. Allison Buller, Program Chair and RP! Project Director at the University of Bridgeport. “This grant will enable us to train a cohort of Clinical Mental Health Counselors, Radically Prepared to serve the community using the highest quality of care.”
“Sacred Heart University School of Social Work has been awarded a federal grant in the amount of $1.78 million for four years from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program for Professionals,” said Dr. Victoria A. Osborne-Leute, MSW, Assistant Professor Sacred Heart University, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Social Work. “The program, titled ‘Making IMPACTS: Integrating Mental Health into Primary Care: Training for Social Work’ will increase access to quality behavioral health services among underserved and high need areas and populations. In collaboration with SHU’s Master of Public Health, Physician Assistant, and Volunteer and Service Learning Programs, the project will involve the development and expansion of field placements/internships to build the behavioral health workforce with community-based partners in integrated, interdisciplinary behavioral and primary care settings.”
According to the Health and Human Services’ Health Resources & Services Administration, the BHWET Program for Professionals aims to increase the supply of behavioral health professionals while also improving the distribution of a quality behavioral health workforce and thereby increasing access to behavioral health services. A special focus is placed on the knowledge and understanding of children, adolescents, and transitional-aged youth at risk for behavioral health disorders.
2021-08-02@ 5:41pm SUNDAY– Police said that a delivery driver was robbed by 4 males while on Sunshine Circle. His phone was taken and they tried by failed to take his car.
2021-08-03@12:51am–#Bridgeport CT– #Fairfield CT– Bridgeport Police warned Fairfield Police of 4 males who attempted to enter a home in the 800 block of Burnsford Avenue which is across from Merritt Street across from Park Avenue. They believe it was part a group wanted for home invasions. They were last seen on Madison Avenue towards Thorme Street. Way to warn your citizens Mayor Ganim! No mention home invasions at all even though I ask for significant incidents twice a week.
2021-08-02@11:37pm–#Milford CT– #Stratford CT– #cttraffic– Today’s 2nd vehicle fire is right on the Moses Wheeler Bridge I-95 northbound. Everyone is out of the vehicle.
UPDATE: Assistant Fire Chief Schuyler Sherwood told me there is an unidentified chemical spill in the basement and they are waiting for the rest of the Hazmat team to assemble before making entry. They are monitoring air quality levels throughout the hospital and all readings are normal and they will continue to monitor the air quality.
2021-08-02 @5:42pm– #Fairfield CT– Firefighters called to Regal Care at Southport at 930 Mill Hill Terrace for the smell of oil or something similar in the basement. Firefighters have called out the area Hazmat team to the scene. Whatever it is, our sponsor can make it like it never even happened!
2021-08-02@4:00pm–#Bridgeport CT– Today’s vehicle fire is at the entrance to Beardsley Park on East Main Street. Firefighters quickly taking care of the fully engulfed car fire.
