Month: August 2023

Stratford Public Schools Awarded Grant Money to Improve Student Mental Health Services

HARTFORD, CT – Connecticut Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford), State Representative Ben McGorty (R-122), and State Representative Laura Dancho (R-120) commend the State of Connecticut and the Connecticut Department of Education for awarding School Mental Health Specialist Grants to 72 districts across Connecticut. Stratford Public Schools is one of the recipients of the grant, which provides funding to increase the number of mental health workers in schools.

Stratford Public Schools is slated to receive a total of $124,920.90 over the course of three years, with the funding allocated as follows:

  • 2024 – $46,267
  • 2025 – $46,267
  • 2026 – $32,386.90

Sen. Kelly said, “All of Connecticut’s children deserve quality mental health care. By having more mental health specialists and a support system available in our schools, students will have improved access to the services they need during difficult times. Students cannot focus on education or other areas of their life if their basic mental and emotional needs are not being met. I’m happy to see this positive step in addressing the pressing and ongoing need for mental health support in our education system.”

Rep. McGorty said, “I am pleased that our schools will now be better equipped to treat students’ mental health with specialized care. Experiences with remote learning and instruction highlighted a growing concern of students’ mental health and it is a great step that we are making a targeted effort to improve how it is handled in our schools.” 

Rep. Laura Dancho (R-120) said, “As a mother and grandmother, I know how important it is to value our children’s mental health. Quality education cannot exist without first assuring that students have the support system they need to learn and interact with new and diverse ideas. I look forward to experiencing the benefits of these ARPA grants in our local schools, which will directly aid both our hardworking teachers and the future of Stratford: our students.”

The competitive grant program utilizes funding the state received from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This is the second of three rounds of grants aimed at increasing the number of mental health workers in schools that are being administered by the state using ARPA funding.

Norwalk News: Attempted Kidnapping

On 8-6-23 at 5:21PM, Norwalk Police patrol officers responded to a report of a man that tried to take a child out of a vehicle parked in front of 28 Bouton Street. The complainant told police that once she unbuckled the child’s seatbelt in the rear of the vehicle, an unknown man reached into the vehicle and began to remove the child from the car. The complainant stated that she was able to hold onto the child preventing the man from taking the child. The complainant reported that the

man then asked if she wanted to sell the child and offered the complainant money.

The complainant then drove away and called police, providing the suspect’s description. Responding officers quickly located a man that matched the given description, who was slurring his words and appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance. The individual was then identified by the complainant as the man that attempted to take the child.

The suspect was arrested and identified as Jose Domingo. He was transported to police headquarters for processing, where he was found to be in possession of a substance that tested positive for cocaine.

Arrested: Jose Domingo, 37, of Oak St., Norwalk, CT

Charges: Risk of Injury to a Child, Possession of Controlled Substance, Breach of Peace 2nd degree, and Kidnapping 2nd degree

Bond: $150,000

Court date: 8-21-23

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Norwalk Police Department at (203)854-3000, and via the methods below.

Bridgeport News: Homicide #10

#Bridgeport Police report: There was a stabbing and substantial shooting at the same location on the 500th Block of Brooks Street. One male from this incident stabbed another second male. The second male subsequently, drew a weapon and fired at the stabbing aggressor. The shooting victim was pronounced dead. The stabbing victim has been transported to the hospital in critical condition. The Bridgeport DB is currently investigating and will provide any updates in the future.

Southport News: Switzers Pharmacy Robbed

#Southport –On 08/05 at 6:25am a passerby reported as he was driving on Pequot Av, seeing the front door of Switzers Pharmacy smashed.

The entry appeared to have been made through the front glass door, which was ajar and the glass shattered. Inside the store, the main store shopping area appeared to be undisturbed. Behind the checkout counter, the register drawer was open with only coins inside and no cash. The rear room contained pharmaceutical products, which appeared to be ransacked. Multiple cabinets were ransacked, with multiple drawers still open. One cabinet contained bank deposit envelopes, which were empty. There was a large safe in the center of the room which appeared to be locked and undisturbed.

The owner was contacted and responded to the scene. The case was turned over to the detective bureau.

Bridgeport News: Stabbing

Thank you to all who reached out to let me know about this stabbing that went unreported by the Bridgeport Police. If you have a news item please message me on Facebook.

On 8-5-2023 around 2024hrs, there was a caller who reported a male party being stabbed in the chest near the 1600 block of Park Ave. Upon arrival, officers confirm a male party was suffering from a wound to the victim’s upper chest. Officers than applied pressure to the would prior to the arrival of medical professionals. Medical professionals arrived minutes later and transported the victim to the hospital.

Based on the description provided by the victim and others, police were able to find and arrest the suspect. The suspect is identified as Jose Del Arca (Photo attached). Jose Del Arca was charged with 53a-181 Breach of Peace 2nd degree, 53a-59- Assault 1st degree and held on $100,000 bond.

The victim was transported to the hospital in stable condition.

Trumbull News: JUVENILES ARRESTED AFTER THEFT AND ATTEMPT TO STEAL CAR


On Sunday, August 6, 2023, Trumbull Police apprehended three juveniles who had fled from law enforcement after breaking into a car and attempting to steal it at the Trumbull Mall. They had managed to escape with items taken from the vehicle. The arrested individuals included two thirteen-year-olds and one twelve-year-old male, all residents of Bridgeport. These individuals faced charges related to the incident.

Around 6:30 p.m., the Trumbull Police received a report about four individuals wearing black hoodies and masks who had just stolen a purse and Air Jordan shoes from a Hyundai Elantra. The suspects had broken into the car. Responding officers swiftly located and detained one thirteen-year-old and the twelve-year-old suspect in the mall parking lot. However, these juveniles resisted the police’s efforts to control and apprehend them physically.

An eyewitness initially observed a juvenile fleeing from the Hyundai, carrying the stolen sneakers and several other items from the car. While the suspects were making their escape with the stolen items, the car’s owner approached her vehicle and noticed that the rear window had been shattered. She found her purse and Air Jordan shoes missing, and also discovered that the car’s steering column had been tampered with. Consequently, she contacted the police.

The two apprehended juveniles were positively identified as the culprits and were later taken to Trumbull Police Headquarters. Here, they underwent the criminal processing procedure and were slated for release to their respective guardians.

Upon releasing the thirteen-year-old to his father, officers noticed another juvenile accompanying him who was wearing an ankle monitor. This second juvenile attempted to change his appearance by altering his clothes before arriving at the police department to pick up his friends. However, the officers quickly deduced that this third juvenile was the individual who had smashed the Hyundai’s window, tried to steal the car, and pilfered items from inside the vehicle before fleeing. Subsequently, this juvenile was arrested, identified, and confirmed to be thirteen years old as well.

While some of the stolen items were eventually recovered, the whereabouts of the shoes remain unknown, and the fourth suspect remains at large.

One thirteen-year-old and a twelve-year-old were each charged with Interfering with Police, Conspiracy to Commit Motor Vehicle Larceny, Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Mischief, and Conspiracy to Commit Third-Degree Larceny. They were released to their relatives with a Promise to Appear in Bridgeport Juvenile Court on August 14, 2023. Police were informed that the twelve-year-old is presently on probation for auto theft.

The thirteen-year-old who arrived later at Trumbull Police Headquarters faced charges of Interfering with Police, Attempted Motor Vehicle Larceny, First-Degree Criminal Mischief, and Third-Degree Larceny. He was released to his mother’s custody with a Promise to Appear in Bridgeport Juvenile Court on August 14, 2023.

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