At 2:39 PM, the Bridgeport Emergency Communications Center received a call from St. Vincent’s Medical Center. They reported that someone with a gunshot wound had been brought to their emergency room, but the injury was not life-threatening.
The Bridgeport Police Department is currently at the scene, investigating the incident. However, it’s unclear where the shooting actually took place.
Despite 12 homicides for 2023, 634 ShotSpotter Activations & Record Low Police Ranks Mayor Ganim and the Bridgeport Police Department Announce Decrease in Crime Statistics
Bridgeport, CT – The Bridgeport Police Department has reported that overall crime statistics throughout the City have been on a decline in comparison to this time last year. The most notable statistical decrease can be found in shooting incidents throughout Bridgeport. The number of shooting incidents has dropped by almost 34% from this time last year, with non-fatal shooting victims at a 40% decrease, and fatal shooting victims at a 33% decrease. This decline comes from the avid efforts being put in to boost recruitment throughout the department while continuing initiatives to build community engagement throughout the City.
“With safety being my number one priority in Bridgeport, I’m very happy that we are starting to see a decline in our crime statistics,” stated Mayor Ganim. “Our residents deserve to feel safe, especially during the warmer seasons, so our children and families can enjoy all the amenities and events that Bridgeport has to offer. I want to thank the Bridgeport Police Department for their continued hard work in protecting Bridgeport and committing themselves to their initiatives of recruiting and increasing community engagement.”
The department’s large social media presence has been one of the most significant tools being used to communicate with Bridgeport residents, especially when providing updates on criminal activity. Officers have been heavily involved in community affairs in recent months, allowing neighborhoods to build relationships with those that protect them. With these relationships being displayed on social media, recruitment efforts have also added to the decrease in crime, as the department has made large strides towards strengthening the manpower of the department. Partnered by this, the Bridgeport Police Department has also applied for the Justice Education Center grant, which would fund two officers to each of the three housing complexes in Bridgeport for three days a week, 8 hours a day for a 6-week period. If the grant is awarded to the City, this will directly impact Bridgeport’s crime statistics with the goal of reaching a further decrease in shootings throughout the City.
Chief Porter stated, “We’re currently down 60 officers but have managed to increase our police presence downtown and increase community efforts throughout our department in recent months. In turn, the residents of Bridgeport have begun to feel safer and I’m very humbled to know our efforts are paying off.”
WASHINGTON–U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.), both members of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, on Tuesday introduced legislation to strengthen consumer protections and improve transparency for medical debt practices. The Strengthening Consumer Protections and Medical Debt Transparency Act would require health care entities to communicate with consumers about any medical debt that is owed and reform collection practices. It would also direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a public database that collects information from health care entities about their debt collection practices. “No one should be forced into bankruptcy simply because they got sick. It’s unconscionable that there are hospitals willing to sue patients, seize their tax refunds, and even withhold care in order to get paid. This newly bipartisan legislation would protect patients from many hospitals’ overly aggressive, exploitative debt collection practices and bring some much-needed transparency to the industry,” said Murphy. “Many Americans are struggling with medical debt, and more transparency between health care entities
#Bridgeport Ct– Scott Appleby of the Bridgeport Emergency Communications said in a release:
At 1213hrs the Bridgeport Police Taskforce called out a pursuit in the 400th block of Taft Avenue. On-scene reports indicated parties fled from police and caused a MVA while striking multiple vehicles. Reports indicate that three parties were detained and a firearm was recovered. This is currently still an active investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Unknown if there are any injuries.
2023-07-25@ 4:11pm–Bridgeport News: Stabbing
Report of a stabbing at East Main and Arctic Street. No further details.
Cooling Centers Can Be Located by Calling 2-1-1 or Visiting 211ct.org
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that due to a weather forecast indicating that temperatures over the next several days are expected to be very hot and humid, he is directing Connecticut’s extremely hot weather protocol to be activated effective at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, and remaining in effect through 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 30, 2023.
The current forecast indicates that the heat index during this period will range at times between 95 to 105 degrees and have lingering impacts during the overnight hours, particularly in urban areas throughout Connecticut.
The purpose of this protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the hot conditions. While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies, municipalities, and other partners to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 to make sure that information regarding cooling centers is available statewide, providing a location to get some relief.
Governor Lamont is advising Connecticut residents, particularly those who are most vulnerable, to take precautions ahead of the high temperatures. Cooling centers are opening statewide. Anyone in need of a place to get out of the heat can locate their nearest cooling center by calling 2-1-1 or viewing the list online at 211ct.org.
“We’ve experienced a pretty warm summer so far, but it’s expected to get particularly hot this week, including during the evening hours,” Governor Lamont said. “Cooling centers are open throughout Connecticut and can be located by calling 2-1-1 or visiting 211ct.org.”
The following actions are implemented while Connecticut’s extreme hot weather protocol is enacted:
The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security uses its WebEOC communications network, which is an internet-based system that enables local, regional, and state emergency management officials and first responders to share up-to-date information about a variety of situations and conditions.
Municipalities and other partners submit information on the opening of cooling centers into the WebEOC, providing a real-time database on the availability of these locations statewide. United Way 2-1-1 uses the system to act as a clearinghouse to assist residents in locating a cooling center.
Regional coordinators from the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security monitor WebEOC in order to respond to any requests from municipalities for state assistance.
The energy utility companies provide the state with regular updates regarding the impact of the weather conditions on their respective utilities throughout the duration of the protocol.
Although anyone can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others:
Infants and young children are sensitive to the effects of high temperatures and rely on others to regulate their environments and provide adequate liquids.
People 65 years of age or older may not compensate for heat stress efficiently and are less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature.
People who are overweight may be prone to heat sickness because of their tendency to retain more body heat.
People who overexert during work or exercise may become dehydrated and susceptible to heat sickness.
People who are physically ill, especially those with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation, may be affected by extreme heat.
Some prevention tips to stay safe in extreme heat include:
Keep your body temperature cool to avoid heat-related illness.
Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If you must be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity to the morning and evening. Try to rest often in shady areas so that your body has a chance to cool off.
Find an air-conditioned shelter. (Call 2-1-1 for a list of cooling centers.) Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.
Avoid direct sunlight.
Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Take cool showers or baths.
Check on those most at-risk several times a day.
Pets that cannot be brought indoors should be provided ready access to water and shade to keep them cool.
Never leave pets inside of parked vehicles because temperatures can soar to life-threatening levels within minutes.
Everyone is also reminded to stay hydrated during periods extreme heat. Because bodies lose fluid through sweat, dehydration is common while experiencing very high temperatures. It is strongly encouraged to:
Drink more water than usual.
Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more fluids.
Drink two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside.
Avoid alcohol or liquids containing high amounts of sugar.
#Stratford CT– In June 2023 Stratford Police Department received a complaint from an adult female alleging she was sexually assaulted by a known male. The female accused Roderick C Ricketts, 44 years old of Stratford, of inappropriately touching her in mid-June. After a thorough investigation into the allegations, an arrest warrant was applied for and granted for the following charges:
Sexual Assault 4th Degree 53a-73a
On July 20, 2023 Mr. Ricketts, turned himself in, was processed, posted his bond, then released with a court date set for 7-31-2023.
#Bridgeport CT–On Sunday, July 23, 2023, at 11:07 PM, the Bridgeport Emergency Communications Center received a notification from ShotSpotter for the 300th block of Orchard Street. Bridgeport Police and AMR (Ambulance) were sent to the location. According to reports from the scene, two unidentified individuals were firing guns at each other, and unfortunately, an 8-year-old child was accidentally grazed by a bullet near their ear. The child was taken to the hospital, but the injury is not life-threatening. The Bridgeport Police Detective Bureau is currently investigating this incident.