Year: 2024

Bus Patrol

Bridgeport Classical Studies School hosted BusPatrol — the nation’s leader in school bus safety technology — and WE Transport to deliver an educational road safety workshop for elementary grade students at Bridgeport Public Schools. 

During the interactive lesson, students learned practical tips to stay safe on the ride to and from school, including the importance of looking both ways, understanding the danger zone around the bus, and recognizing common safety hazards.  

“Education is the cornerstone to our mission of creating safer roads for all students,” said Justin Meyers, President and Chief Innovation Officer of BusPatrol. “As we educate motorists to follow the rules of the road, it’s equally important that we equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe on their journey to and from school. I thank Bridgeport Public Schools for partnering with BusPatrol on this community-wide collaboration to help keep our children safe.” 

 “Sharing reminders and tips with our students is critically important to everyone’s safety on and off the bus,” said Franco Indomenico, Vice President of WE Transport. “In recognition of National Bus Safety Week, WE Transport is proud to join BusPatrol and Bridgeport Public Schools to highlight how new technology and preparedness can make a positive difference.”  

As part of the session, BusPatrol distributed activity books and presented a short animation, reminding the kids of the rules around school bus safety. BusPatrol developed the materials in consultation with school and transportation experts to educate children, motorists, and entire communities about the importance of school bus safety. 

Each school year, an estimated 45.2 million reckless motorists illegally pass school buses stopped with their red lights flashing and stop-arms extended, putting children at significant risk. BusPatrol recently partnered with Bridgeport Public Schools and WE Transport to launch a new school bus stop-arm photo enforcement program aimed at reducing the number of drivers who unlawfully pass stopped school buses by installing stop-arm cameras on the city’s fleet of 248 city school buses. Over a six-month trial, BusPatrol logged nearly 10,000 instances of vehicles illegally passing school buses in Bridgeport.

False Report Arrest

On October 18, 2024, Milford Police arrested 33-year-old Veratisha Morey of Bridgeport after she turned herself in on an active arrest warrant. Morey had previously reported to police that she was receiving repeated phone calls from a male in violation of a court order. However, a forensic examination conducted by the Milford Police Computer Crimes Unit led to her being charged with making a false statement. Morey was released on a promise to appear and is scheduled to appear in court on November 8, 2024.

Arrest After High-Speed Pursuit

Milford Police arrested 19-year-old Patrick Lizotte of Shelton on October 18, 2024, following a reckless driving incident. At 10:45 p.m., officers attempted to stop a silver Honda with no visible plates on Bridgeport Avenue after it sped past them and then stopped in traffic. Lizotte fled from the police, driving erratically before entering Milford. Officers deployed a tire deflation device near Schoolhouse Road, successfully bringing the vehicle to a stop on Prospect Drive. Lizotte was taken into custody without further incident. He faces charges of reckless driving, engaging police in a pursuit, and failure to display plates. His bond was set at $5,000, and he is scheduled to appear in court on November 15, 2024.

Fire Prevention

Bridgeport Hospital and the Bridgeport Fire Department are teaming up this October for Fire Prevention Month, emphasizing the importance of fire safety and burn prevention in the community. As the state’s only burn center, Bridgeport Hospital sees firsthand the devastating impact burns can have on both patients and their families.

Hospital President Ann Diamond highlighted the partnership with the Bridgeport Fire Department to raise awareness about fire safety measures. Chief Lance Edwards of the Bridgeport Fire Department echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of the hospital’s burn center, which has been serving the community since an enhancement project in 2011, spearheaded by retired Assistant Chief Sal Emmanuel and his wife, a burn center nurse.

The fire department has also been proactive with its smoke alarm program, which began in 2005. To date, over 90,000 smoke alarms have been installed in single and two-family homes across Bridgeport, contributing to the prevention of injuries, property damage, and the saving of lives. The program is available to all city residents who meet the eligibility criteria.

In addition to this, the fire department is introducing a 27-foot fire prevention trailer, which will be used to educate the community—especially children—about fire safety. The trailer will simulate kitchen fires and other common fire hazards, providing hands-on learning opportunities to reinforce the importance of working smoke alarms.

Dr. Alisa Sabata Mall, director of the Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital, added that burn injuries can be life-changing, even in minor cases. As the holiday season approaches, she warned about the heightened risk of burn injuries from cooking, fire pits, and home oxygen use. She offered practical tips on how to prevent these injuries and urged anyone with significant burns to seek medical attention.

This collaboration between Bridgeport Hospital and the Bridgeport Fire Department serves as a vital effort in promoting fire safety and protecting the well-being of the community.

Fairfield News: Child Struck By Car

Police said: On October 21, at approximately 4:20 PM, a report was received of a child being struck by a vehicle in the area of Burroughs Road and Fairfield Woods Road. The 12-year-old was transported to a local hospital and is being treated for what appear to be minor, non-life-threatening injuries. The driver was cited for violating CGS 14-300(c), Failure to Yield to a Pedestrian in a Crosswalk. Excessive sun glare is believed to have been a contributing factor in the incident.

Report of a child that was struck by a car around the 800 block of Burrows Road in Fairfield. There was no extrication and there is no information on the child’s condition at this time.

Bridgeport News: Worker Rescued from Basement Collapse on Stratford Avenue

Bridgeport first responders successfully rescued a 35-year-old construction worker who was trapped in the basement of a building under construction on the 1000 block of Stratford Avenue. The worker became stuck after part of the building’s stone foundation collapsed, burying him up to his knees in debris.

Bridgeport Fire Chief Lance Edwards stated that the collapse occurred around 9:10 a.m., while the worker was believed to be performing work in the basement. After a secondary collapse, first responders had to shore up the unstable structure before continuing the rescue.

“Our team worked tirelessly to ensure the worker was removed safely despite the difficult conditions,” said Chief Edwards. “The worker was standing and buried up to his knees when we found him, and it took over two hours of careful work to get him out.”

The worker was transported to the hospital, and while he sustained injuries to his lower extremities, they are not considered life-threatening. Investigations by OSHA and local officials are ongoing to determine the cause of the collapse and ensure the site’s safety.

Mayor Joe Ganim was present at the scene and praised the efforts of the Bridgeport Fire Department and other first responders. “Their quick response and technical expertise turned what could have been a disaster into a successful rescue,” he said.

The building, which had previously been damaged by fire five years ago, remains under investigation. No one else was inside the structure at the time of the collapse. Further updates will be provided as investigations continue.

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