Month: January 2022

#Westport CT– In May of 2019, a Westport resident reported that he had been the victim of on-going
identity theft. The complainant said that as he was reviewing his personal and business accounts,
he observed multiple unauthorized checks being written out to an employee of his business. He
identified the employee as his personal assistant – Jane Andersen. It is alleged that Ms.
Andersen illegally used the complainant’s identity to wire money from the complainant’s
business and personal bank accounts into the operating account of the complainant’s business.
Once the money was in the operating account, Ms. Anderson would reportedly make checks out
to herself to cover a variety of personal expenses. In addition to the above, Ms. Andersen
purportedly used the complainant’s identity to obtain two loans as well as a credit card. She
allegedly made payments on the loans and credit card using the complainant’s personal funds.

The complainant told the investigating detective that he questioned Ms. Andersen about
this matter, and she supposedly admitted to him that she had in fact stolen money from his
business and personal accounts.

Based on the investigation, a warrant for Ms. Andersen’s arrest was completed and
signed by a Superior Court Judge.

On the afternoon of December 28, 2021, Ms. Andersen was taken into custody by
Westport detectives. Per the warrant, she was charged with 14 counts of Identity Theft in the
First Degree, 2 counts of Identity Theft in the Second Degree, and Identity Theft in the Third
Degree. Ms. Andersen was released after posting a $2,500.00 bond and was arraigned at
Stamford Superior Court on January 5, 2022.

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Police are investigating a break-in at the South Benson Marina in where items taken and damage to the boat.

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Bridgeport, CT – Mayor Ganim is advising residents to prepare for the upcoming storm anticipated to impact Bridgeport Friday, January 7, 2022.   Bridgeport Emergency Operations hosted the first Storm prep meeting for 2022 today with all critical departments and city agencies in order to prepare and respond to the ice and snow conditions expected. 

“We’ll have to wait and see what this storm brings, but our concern is that dropping temperatures can cause severe icing on our roads and sidewalks.  Our department of public facilities crews are prepared and will drop sand and salt as needed.”  Ganim further advised, “I’m asking residents that don’t need to travel to stay off the roads in order to make way for city crews, and to please be careful.”

Forecast – There is a low potential for snowfall to begin around midnight this evening. However, the highest probability of snowfall will occur between Friday at 3 am and 8 am. Snow should begin to taper off by 10 am on Friday. Snowfall Planning amounts between 3-5 inches. Temps will range in the mid 20’s and increase to the low 30’s into Friday. Wind chills will range from 18-21 degrees. For more information, visit bridgeportct.gov/snow

Plowing – BridgeportStreets within the City are prioritized to clear major travel routes first. This allows public safety vehicles access to most parts of the City. The initial plowing activities also provide most residents a clearing within two to three blocks of their home and most destinations in the City. Other factors include locations of schools, hospitals, major commercial centers, and other facilities with the large public interest.  

For snow plowing issues, call 203-576-7130.  Any plowing issues or concerns can be reported using the mobile application Bridgeport 311.

Public Facilities Operations and Services

• Sanitation & Recycling – Cancelled Friday and will resume Saturday
• Transfer Station – Closed Friday and will re-open Saturday
• Brown Bag Collection – Cancelled Friday and will resume Monday one day behind schedule
• Golf Course – Closed Friday and will re-open Monday weather permitting
• Parks – Closed Friday and will re-open Saturday 

Snow Closures

• Testing site at North Branch Library will be closed Friday, January 7^th.

Sidewalks – Commercial and/or residential owners who push snow into the streets or do not clear snow on the sidewalks in front of their buildings are subject to a $100.00 fine per ordinance for each incident.  

Adopt a Hydrant – residents are encouraged to clear snow and make a path to a fire hydrant in their neighborhood to assist the Bridgeport Fire Department in case of fire or another emergency. 

Snow Related Emergencies

During the storm, residents may call the Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center hotline at 203-579-3829 with any snow-related emergencies. Residents can also call the Public Facilities snow emergency hotline at 203-576-7130 and 203-576-7124.

If residents suffer a loss of electricity call the United Illuminating customer hotline at 800-722-5584 or 203-579-3829.  Both numbers are for 24-hour emergency service. 

Immediate danger to life and health issues call 9-1-1.

For the latest updates and information about the snowstorm, residents are asked to check Bridgeportct.gov/snow, local media, and follow the City of Bridgeport on Twitter and Facebook. 

Bridgeport Emergency Communications said Bridgeport Fire and EMS responded to a preliminary report of a party electrocuted. On-scene reports indicated the party was alert and conscious. The person was transported to hospital. US OSHA notified.

2022-01-06@4:14pm–#Bridgeport CT– An employee at the power plant at 10 Atlantic Street reported to have been electrocuted. The victim’s condition is not known at this time. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been called to the scene.

2022-01-06@11:30AMish– A bicyclist was struck on Kings Highway East in front of DeSanti Tire. Special thanks to Sheryl Petmom for contributing this photo.

#Westport CT– On November 23, 2021, at approximately 1:30 p.m., Westport Police detectives
responded to Greens Farms Elementary School on a report that a staff member was possibly
impaired. Upon arrival, detectives learned that Speech and Language Pathologist Michelle
Babin allegedly fell asleep while providing educational instruction to a student. The
investigation further revealed that it purportedly took staff at least thirty seconds to wake Ms.
Babin and when she finally did wake up, she was reportedly mumbling incoherently.
Additionally, she purportedly had the odor of alcohol on her breath. Ms. Babin was ultimately
transported to the hospital for a medical evaluation.

The detectives conducted an extensive investigation and concluded that the student in
question was not being appropriately supervised while in Ms. Babin’s care because she was
reportedly both asleep as well as possibly intoxicated when she was supposed to be instructing
him. This put the child at great risk of being injured. A warrant for Ms. Babin’s arrest was
completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.

On the afternoon of December 30, 2021, Ms. Babin turned herself in at the Westport
Police Department. Per the warrant, she was charged with Risk of Injury to a Child. Ms. Babin
was released after posting a $75,000.00 bond and was arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on
January 5, 2022.

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• Bridgeport Police said “On Wednesday January 5, 2022 at approximately 1300hrs the Bridgeport Police was notified by New Haven Police regarding a party that had an incident with a Probation Officer at the New Haven Probation Office. The party recklessly sped away from that location and was heading towards the City of Bridgeport. Preliminary reports indicated the party may have a firearm within the vehicle. Bridgeport Police units observed the vehicle near the Chopsey Hill Road area and began a pursuit. The party proceeded to the area of St. Vincent’s Medical Center where the party crashed his vehicle and proceeded to exit and run into the employee parking garage. St. Vincent’s Medical Center as a precaution was placed on a lockdown and emergency vehicles were rerouted away from the area. Police K9 was brought in and a search of the party began. Task Force Officers (Auto Theft, CSP, FBI, DEA, ATF and New Haven PD) now conducted a secondary search of the garage. Soon after Officers took into custody the suspect identified as Christopher Hilton hiding in the garage. Multiple citizen vehicles along with police vehicles were struck by the suspect during the pursuit. The suspect Christopher Hilton of New Haven was charged with the following 14-222 RECKLESS DRIVING, 14-224(b)(3) EVADE RESP-INJURY/PROP DAMAGE, 14-36(b)(1)++ OP MV >=18 VI LIC/PERMIT REQS, 53a-115 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 1ST DEG, 53a-122 LARCENY 1ST DEG, 53a-126a CRIMINAL TROVER 1ST DEG,53a-167a INTERFERE WITH OFFCR/RESISTING, 53a-48/ 53a-59 CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT/ ASSAULT 1ST DEG, and 53a-64 RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT 2ND DEG. Bond was sent at $400,000.00”.

2022-01-05@9:22pm–#Bridgeport CT– A bicyclist was struck by a vehicle on Fairfield Avenue near Wilson Street. The bicyclist was alert and talking with first responders.

2021-01-05@7:24pm–#Fairfield CT– Report of another crash at Jennings Road and Black Rock Turnpike.This news report is made possible by:

HARTFORD, CT) – Max Reiss, director of communications for Governor Ned Lamont, today released the following statement:

“This morning, Governor Lamont underwent hip replacement surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Stamford and he is currently recovering at home. The surgery is very similar to the one he experienced just about one year ago, however it was on the opposite hip. His medical team says that he is on track for a speedy recovery, and over the next couple of days he plans to rest at home while working remotely.”

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