How about some likes for Mary Droesch Kennedy and the Moms Of Fairfield page on Facebook for coming through for Geraldine Johnson School in Bridgeport? Mary wrote to Moms of Fairfield “Hi everyone- I teach English in Bridgeport and my seventh graders are currently supposed to be reading Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan. The books never came in, and the students are struggling to read the book on the pdf on their computers. I made an Amazon wish list for a class set- if anyone would like to purchase one the kids would really appreciate it!”
Within a week the class got their wish. Way to go everyone!
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chair of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security, released the following statement in response to an investigation into Instagram’s impacts on young people announced today by a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general:
“Combined with our Congressional scrutiny, this investigation will shine a bright light on Instagram’s profiting from harm to kids. Facebook can no longer hide or conceal facts that parents need and deserve to know. Mark Zuckerberg must make a choice: either Facebook comes clean on its own, or this bipartisan group of state attorneys general will show the world even more ugly truths.”
“Facebook must release its full research, give access to independent researchers, and support meaningful legislation. I look forward to seeing the results of this important investigation and continuing to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle on legislation to protect kids online.”
As Chair of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security, Blumenthal has spearheaded a series of hearings to inform legislation and prompt action by social media companies to address harms and dangers faced by children online, including recent hearings with Facebook Head of Global Safety Antigone Davis and Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen.
On Thursday morning, November 18, the Trumbull Police were called to investigate an overnight theft of catalytic converters from an entire fleet of student transportation vehicles, at 25 Oakview Drive, forcing the Cooperative Educational Service (CES)
School to be closed. Police learned that thieves stole catalytic converters from twenty- eight (28) school owned vehicles, where each of these vehicles had two (2) catalytic converters cut off from them with a reported loss of over $75,000.
The Trumbull Police have noticed a drastic increase in the theft of catalytic converters which is not only on the rise in Connecticut, but has become a serious problem nationwide. Thieves are targeting business parking lots during the overnight hours where many fleet vehicles, trucks, vans, and busses are parked. Thieves have also stolen catalytic converters from privately owned vehicles in residential areas as well. Catalytic converter thefts occur at all hours of the night, and even in broad daylight with other vehicular and pedestrian traffic nearby. The catalytic converter is part of the exhaust system that runs along the undercarriage of the vehicle. Thieves can steal this antipollution device in a matter of minutes, and sell it to scrap metal dealers for several hundred dollars while a replacement for a stolen catalytic converter can cost several thousand dollars. The appeal to these items is the value of the expensive metals used in the manufacturing of the catalytic converters. Thieves look for easy targets when it comes to catalytic converter thefts like from trucks and SUVs because it is easy for them to slide under the vehicle rather than jack it up.
Sometimes thieves unbolt the catalytic converters, but more often they just cut the connecting pipes using a hand-held power saw which is faster, but creates more noise.
To decrease your chances of becoming a victim of catalytic converter theft always park in well-lit areas, close to a building entrance, or to the nearest access road when parking in a public lot whenever possible. If you have a security system on your car, calibrate it so vibration sets off the alarm. Video surveillance around your vehicle is also useful. Motion-sensitive lights and parking in your driveway or a closed garage whenever possible is also effective. Knowing and working together with your neighbors will help in recognizing strangers who might be casing parked vehicles in your neighborhood. If you start your vehicle and hear a loud exhaust noise, it is likely that your catalytic converter has been stolen. If this is something you experience, make sure you are in a safe location and have the undercarriage of your vehicle inspected. The catalytic converter is a round canister that connects two pieces of piping in the exhaust. If there is a gaping space in the middle of your exhaust that is also an indication that the converter is missing, and you will likely see signs that the piping had been cut away. It is always very important to be aware of your surroundings and observant of suspicious people, or activity that may be in the area. Also take notice of people that may be near or in between parked vehicles, and people who may have saws, vehicle jacks, tools, or other out of the ordinary items in their possession.
The Trumbull Police are asking for the public’s help in providing any information about these crimes or the suspects. If you become a victim, file a police report which will help police track such crimes and might assist in arrests. Always remember, if you observe suspicious activity, vehicles, or persons, especially during the late night hours, call the police right away. If you have specific information regarding a recent catalytic converter theft please contact the Trumbull Police Department at 203-261-3665, or dial 911 for all emergencies.
2021-11-18@5:14pm–#Fairfield CT– A senior man was not injured when he drove his car into Grasmere Liquor and Wine at 154 Post Road. The building inspector was called to the scene.
2021-11-18@12:18pm–#Stratford CT– Report of a cement mixer wrapped in wires in front of Wooster Middle School at Freemont and Lincoln Street. Glad to report no electrical wires are involved.
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) during a confirmation hearing for Alvaro Bedoya to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, urged the FTC to conduct a vigorous and prompt investigation into skyrocketing gas prices, as requested earlier today by President Joe Biden. Senator Blumenthal is chair of the Consumer Protection Subcommittee with oversight of the FTC.
“This investigation is overdue, absolutely necessary, should be pursued vigorously and promptly. The present monopolistic practices of these companies need to be exposed for what they are so consumers understand why prices are rising. And we need to call attention as well to the monopolistic prices of OPEC and the producers of gasoline,” said Blumenthal. “There’s no reason that consumers should be left in the dark about why gasoline prices at the pump are rising so astronomically. And I will just cite, if the gap between refined fuel costs and gasoline prices at the pump were to return to normal, pre-pandemic levels, drivers would be paying as much as 25 cents less per gallon.”
#Bridgeprot CT– #Stratford CT–The Bridgeport Police Department arrested a bank robbery suspect with minutes on Wednesday afternoon. At approximately 2:30 p.m., officers rapidly responded to a panic alarm at the TD Bank branch at 4865 Main St. at the intersection with Old Town Rd.
With the help of bank employees and customers, officers were quickly able to broadcast a description of the suspect, the getaway car and the initial getaway route. Minutes later, Bridgeport Detectives located the car on I-95 northbound.
The getaway car was eventually stopped in Stratford without incident, and 59 year-old Richard Davila (photograph attached), with a last known address in Stratford, was taken into custody. The stolen money was located in the car.
Davila is a convicted felon with a history of robbery arrests in Bridgeport, Stratford, Shelton and Seymour dating back to 2005 Davila was charged with Robbery in the Second Degree. His bond was set at $75,000.
