2023-06-30@10:30PMish–#Bridgeport CT– Bridgeport firefighters on the scene in the 300 block of Water Street for a reported boat collision involving 3 boats, one allegedly fled. A short time later Fairfield received a call for a person injured during that collision.
This is very preliminary information but it doesn’t sound like anyone was seriously injured.
2023-06-30@ 7:07pm–#Bridgeport CT– #cttraffic–Today’s car fire is on I-95 southbound near exit 29
Bridgeport, CT – Due to Pleasure Beach’s high tick population Mayor Ganim and the Department of Public Facilities announced that Pleasure Beach’s opening weekend will be delayed until July 8, 2023. In a proactive effort to safely open Pleasure Beach, our team has undergone multiple site visits including members from the State of Connecticut specializing in tick population/control, the Connecticut Audubon Society, and outside contractors.
The City of Bridgeport’s efforts to ensure safety for all visitors, along with adverse weather conditions have caused unforeseen delays. We have scheduled multiple tick applications beginning June 30th and continuing once every three weeks thereafter. Once we have completed the first-round tick repellent application the Parks Department will begin the mowing, maintenance, and beach combing throughout the season.
2023-06-30@3:09pm–#Bridgeport CT– Police, EMS and Animal Control on scene in the 300 block of Lewis Street where a child was bit in the face by a dog.
On June 28, 2023, Kathleen Thibault, a 64-year-old white female from Demaio Drive, was arrested on Milford Point Road for violating a restraining order and assaulting a police officer.
The victim of the restraining order stated that Thibault had shown up at their residence and began yelling at them. Thibault fled the scene in her vehicle but was later taken into custody at her home.
While Thibault was being booked, she became belligerent and threw a soda at the booking officer, drenching them in their face, shoulder, shirt, arm, and watch. Thibault was additionally charged with assault on a police officer. Good thing it was a soft drink.
Thibault was released on $3,000 bail
Today’s vehicle fire is multiple cars on fire on a car carrier on I-95 southbound rest area in Fairfield. The ramp to the rest area is closed
2023-06-28@10:18pm–#Bridgeport CT– At least 2 people were injured in a crash on Washington Avenue and Coleman Avenue.
Public Act 23-15 Enhances Captive Insurance Companies
and Strengthens Support for the Industry
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, has signed into law Public Act 23-15, An Act Concerning Captive Insurance Companies, a groundbreaking piece of legislation aimed at bolstering the captive insurance industry in the state. The bill, championed by Commissioner Andrew Mais of the Connecticut Insurance Department (CID), marks a significant milestone in advancing a business-friendly regulatory environment that encourages innovation and supports the growth of captives to provide more options for businesses to manage their risk.
Public Act 23-15 introduces several key changes to Connecticut’s captive insurance laws, offering increased support and flexibility for captives, owners, and service providers.
The legislation, which will become effective on October 1, 2023, introduces the following significant provisions:
Risk Management and Unprecedented Coverage: The newly enacted legislation revolutionizes risk management by allowing captives to accept and transfer risks through parametric contracts. This innovative approach offers businesses coverage for unique and hard-to-place risks. Parametric insurance contracts offer certainty for planning purposes as they will pay out a predetermined amount based on the intensity or occurrence of a specific event. This concept provides businesses with a more efficient and customized method to mitigate risks that are uncommon or challenging to insure through the traditional commercial market.
Streamlined Operations for Sponsored Captives: P.A. 23-15 provides greater flexibility to sponsored captive protected cells enabling them to establish separate accounts to effectively address businesses’ specific insurance needs. This enhanced structure provides a comprehensive solution that aligns with the unique risk management needs of cell participants, while ensuring the protection of assets and liabilities within each account.
Dormancy Benefits for Captive Owners: This law provides benefits for owners of dormant captives. Captives that have stopped doing business and have no remaining liabilities can apply for a certificate of dormancy, resulting in exemption from paying Connecticut’s minimum premium tax. This exemption not only reduces the financial burden during inactive periods but also allows captives to be easily reactivated when market conditions or insurance needs change.
P.A. 23-15 builds upon previous legislative achievements from 2022, when the state implemented many other pro-captive laws, providing innovative solutions and increased flexibility for captives. These continued efforts have further positioned Connecticut as a leading domicile for captive insurance.
Connecticut’s achievements in the captive sector have garnered notable recognition through recent awards:
Under Commissioner Andrew Mais’ and Assistant Deputy Commissioner Fenhua Liu’s leadership, CID has played a pivotal role in driving the success of Connecticut’s captive industry. The state has seen the emergence of four highly innovative InsurTechs/Managed General Agents (MGAs) forming captives in Connecticut, utilizing advanced technologies such as AI and blockchain to transfer risks or insure risks through parametric contracts.
“With the signing of P.A. 23-15 Connecticut reaffirms its commitment to maintaining a supportive and competitive captive insurance landscape. The new legislation, combined with the state’s recognized expertise, competence, and innovation, solidifies Connecticut’s position as a premier domicile for captives.” said Commissioner Mais.
Traffic fatalities are the leading cause of death for Americans under 54, killing over 100 people every day
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) reintroduced the Road to Zero resolution to reduce traffic fatalities and improve roadway safety for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and others on the road. Introduction of the resolution follows yesterday’s announcement by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that over 9,000 people died in traffic crashes during the first three months of 2023. By improving data collection and promoting access to safe, reliable transportation, the Road to Zero resolution aims to end roadway fatalities by 2050.
“Road to zero is reachable and responsible,” said Blumenthal. “Roads must be made safer for all—pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as car users. Improved technology and increased investment provide the opportunity—and imperative—to cut road tragedies.”
“For years, I have heard the heartbreaking stories of families impacted by car crashes and unsafe vehicles. Tens of thousands of lives are lost on our roadways each year. The United States is facing an auto safety crisis, one that we have the power to stop in its tracks,” said Schakowsky. “I am proud to reintroduce the Road to Zero Resolution with Senator Blumenthal. This resolution calls on the Department of Transportation to improve data gathering and tracking of traffic crashes and use a safe systems approach to prioritize transportation safety. We can help end these unnecessary deaths and injuries by 2050. All road users—drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists—deserve to be safe on our nation’s roads.”
The Road to Zero resolution highlights the troubling number of traffic fatalities and crashes in the United States, with many of the deaths resulting from distracted and alcohol-impaired driving. The resolution also notes the deep history of inequality in the United States’ transportation systems as crashes have a disproportionate impact on people of color and low-income communities. Citing the success of seatbelts, speed limits, and other technology in preventing injuries and fatalities, the measure encourages federal agencies to implement interventions and improve data collection to prevent crashes.
While nearly 43,000 people lost their lives to traffic crashes in 2022, NHTSA’s data from the beginning of 2023 shows a decline in fatalities compared to the same time last year. This drop follows implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which included historic funding for transportation safety and the Safe Streets and Roads for All grants to address high-crash areas. The Road to Zero resolution seeks to build on this progress and achieve zero roadway fatalities by the year 2050.
The resolution is endorsed by the National Safety Council, Consumer Reports, Vision Zero, and Families for Safe Streets.
“The crisis on American roads impacts every road user who drives, bikes, walks and works. From improving road design, to advancing technologies, and changing driving behaviors, we all have a role to play in achieving our shared goal of zero traffic deaths,” said Lorraine Martin, National Safety Council president and CEO and chair of the Road to Zero Coalition. “This resolution places Congress’s support where so many states and communities already are—with the goal of zero fatalities. We thank Senator Blumenthal for his relentless commitment to zero, and urge all elected officials and community leaders to become champions of roadway safety efforts in their communities to save lives.”
“Consumer Reports urges every member of Congress to support the Road to Zero resolution. Auto crashes take a terrible and preventable toll, leaving countless families nationwide mourning those they have lost. If our country is going to make crash deaths a thing of the past—a goal that so many are working toward—then Congress absolutely must lead the way and commit to passing laws that put safety first,” said William Wallace, associate director of safety policy for Consumer Reports.
“There is more we can do to prevent roadway deaths and severe injuries — actions we can and should take at government and industry levels that will better ensure safe mobility for all of our loved ones across the nation. We have the opportunity and responsibility to prevent these tragedies. In honor of those who have lost loved ones or been injured in traffic crashes, we urge commitment and action with this resolution to advance Vision Zero — safe mobility for all,” said Leah Shahum, founder and director of Vision Zero Network, a national nonprofit foundation supporting safe mobility for all.
“Every traffic death is more than a number. Each has a bereft family and a heartbroken community. It has been almost 10 years since I lost my 12-year-old son Sammy. He was in 8th grade and just trying to get from school to soccer practice. This should not be a deadly act,” said Amy Cohen, Co-Founder of Families for Safe Streets. “Every one of us in FSS has lost a family member or suffered a life-altering injury. We are so grateful to Senator Blumenthal for urging the US to commit to ZeroTrafficDeaths. Taking that first step to a safety-first transportation policy will prevent others from the heartache we have suffered. The US is an outlier — the vast majority of nations like ours have dramatically reduced the number of people killed on their roadways. We have some of the most dangerous roads and most dangerous vehicles in the industrialized world and things are only getting worse. According to NHTSA, 42,939 lives were lost due to preventable crashes in 2021. This is a crisis, and we can and we must do better.”
2023-06-28@1:18pm–#Stratford CT– #cttraffic– A crash on I-95 southbound near the exit 31 on/off ramp is causing delays.
