FAIRFIELD, CT – On March 26, 2025, the Fairfield Police Department Detective Division, working in collaboration with several state agencies, conducted inspections at multiple smoke shops in town. The operation involved the Department of Consumer Protection, Department of Mental Health Services, Department of Labor, and Department of Revenue Services.
The inspections uncovered a large quantity of illegal THC products including vape pens, edibles, pre-rolls, and marijuana. The Fairfield Police Department’s Quality of Life Unit seized the contraband, and investigations into the businesses remain ongoing.
Two individuals, Aseel Alsaidi and Jabar Saidi, were arrested at US 1 Vape Shop and charged with possession of marijuana over eight ounces with intent to sell, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia in a drug factory situation. A third individual, Issa Albahari, was arrested at World Smoke & Cigar and charged with possession of marijuana over one kilogram with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia in a drug factory situation.
Both establishments were also cited for illegally selling vape or nicotine products to a person under the age of 21. All three individuals are scheduled to appear at Bridgeport Superior Court on April 9, 2025.
Bridgeport, CT – Family members of Dyshan Best, a local man fatally shot by police, are demanding transparency, accountability, and a full investigation following the release of body camera footage and initial details surrounding the incident.
In an emotional public statement, family members and community advocates voiced serious concerns about the circumstances of Dyshan’s death, calling into question the police response, the handling of evidence, and what they say are conflicting narratives emerging from the authorities.
“We live in an AI world that will make you think that you know things aren’t what they actually are,” one speaker said, emphasizing the need for professional analysis of all footage. “You can’t rush to judgment based on those videos.”
According to the family, Dyshan had turned his life around, working as a tractor-trailer driver and being a dedicated father. His sister, who raised him from infancy, described him as a “gentle person” who “did not deserve this to happen to him the way it did.”
The family expressed frustration with the initial police engagement, stating that Dyshan appeared to run after officers opened a car door and said they needed to pat him down based on a report of a firearm. “If someone addresses me and snatches my door open, I might run too,” his sister said. “So that means you’re gonna shoot me down?”
Advocates representing the family stated there was no felony in progress that would justify the use of deadly force under the “fleeing felon” rule. “You don’t become the judge, jury, and executioner because in your mind you feel that something went wrong,” one speaker said. “Preservation of life has to be the protocol.”
Questions also surround the body camera footage released by the police. The family said it appeared manipulated or unclear, noting that Dyshan initially appeared to be holding a cell phone and a bottle, and not a weapon. “We need the actual videos, not self-serving clips,” they insisted.
No confirmation has been made by the police regarding whether a gun was recovered at the scene. Family members said they have not been told definitively by authorities that Dyshan was armed, and stressed the importance of waiting for the Inspector General’s office to complete a full investigation.
In the meantime, the family plans to peacefully protest, with the police chief reportedly assuring them that their rights to protest would be respected. “We have a right to protest without feeling like we’re under investigation,” they said.
At the center of the family’s call for justice is a belief that Dyshan’s life could have been spared. “Let him go,” one speaker said. “At least he would still be here.”
Dyshan’s sister recalled not being able to watch the full video. “I couldn’t even see the whole tape… it looked like he had a phone in his hand.” Another family member added, “He wasn’t a thug. He was a pallbearer. He turned his life around.”
As the family waits for autopsy results and further answers, they say they are committed to holding the Bridgeport Police Department accountable and ensuring this case receives the full scrutiny it deserves.
“This is sick. This needs to stop,” his sister said. “The city of Bridgeport is accountable for their officers… and we’re not standing for it.”
Today’s Car Fire is at the CVS on Main Street in Bridgeport. Firefighters arrived on scene to a partially involved fire under the hood and it was quickly extinguished.
According to initial police reports, on March 31, 2025, at approximately 5:50 p.m., uniformed Bridgeport Police officers, including Officer Yoon Heo and Officer Erin Perrotta, responded to East Main Street on a report of a large fight. There was information that people had gathered in connection with a funeral. In addition, there was further information that there was a black Chevrolet Tahoe in the area whose occupant had a gun. Police located the black Tahoe parked at a store parking lot on East Main Street. There were two occupants. Officer Perrotta opened the passenger door and told the passenger, later identified as Dyshan Best, that he was going to be patted down. Best exited the vehicle and fled. He was holding a Rémy Martin liquor bottle in one hand. Officers Perrotta and Heo pursued, and a foot chase ensued. At a gas station near the intersection of Beecher Street and Kossuth Street, Officer Heo deployed a Taser. Best continued to run losing his shoes as he ran through the gas station. The pursuit proceeded down Kossuth Street and into a driveway near 1420 Kossuth Street. By this time, Best had discarded the liquor bottle. As Best ran up the driveway, he displayed an object that appeared to be a gun in his right hand. Officer Heo fired his handgun two times, striking Best. Police recovered a gun next to the spot where he fell. It was a Highpoint Compact 9mm handgun. Officers immediately provided medical aid on scene and continued to provide aid until the arrival of the Bridgeport Fire Department. Best was taken by ambulance to Bridgeport Hospital. He was pronounced deceased at 7:41 p.m
The Office of Inspector General, Bridgeport Police Department, Connecticut State Police, Western District Major Crime Squad and the Bridgeport Judicial District State’s Attorney’s Office are conducting the investigation which is continuing.
Report of a crash requiring extrication around the 1400 block of Fairfield Ave in Bridgeport. Firefighters used hydraulic rescue tools to remove the door that the other car was pinning, and successfully removed the trapped person from the vehicle.
Barricades were observed around the Bridgeport Police Department at 300 Congress Street. A source tells me it is in response to a video that has been circulating about the police involved shooting on Kossuth Street on Monday. The video was from a citizen who recorded the shooting.
Fairfield, CT, —First Selectman Bill Gerber announced today that the State of Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) has determined that the Town of Fairfield has met the requirements under Section 8-30g of the Connecticut General Statutes for a Certificate of Affordable Housing Project Completion and is entitled to a Moratorium of Applicability. The Moratorium of Applicability will begin on the next publication date of the Connecticut Law Journal, expected to be April 1, 2025, and will remain in effect for a four-year period.
The Town has made steady progress on the number of affordable housing units and submitted its application for a Certificate of Affordable Housing Project Completion on December 18, 2024. The application required proof that at least two percent of Fairfield’s 21,982 housing units, as reported in the 2020 Census, be documented as Affordable Housing Unit Equivalents (439.64 HUE). The application documented 462 HUE.
In the last decade, the Town has:
Adopted an inclusionary zoning regulation that requires all developments resulting in ten or more dwelling units to set aside not less than ten percent of those units as affordable to persons or households with incomes at or below eighty percent of the area median income. The set-aside requirement is higher (12%) in the transit-oriented development overlay district.
Established a dedicated Housing Trust Fund, which the Affordable Housing Committee has used to purchase property and make it available for new affordable housing developments.
Enacted an inclusionary zoning fee of .005% on all new construction and building additions that don’t otherwise contribute to the Town’s affordable housing supply.
Passed new zoning regulations making it easier to create accessory dwelling units in all residential districts except the Beach District and allowing detached ADUs.
Utilized CDBG funds to help purchase properties conditioned upon their being affordable for a fixed term.
“Today’s announcement has been a long time in coming and is the culmination of many years of work,” commented Director of Community & Economic Development Mark Barnhart, noting that the Town’s application spanned some 600 pages and included documentation for some two dozen projects.
“While the moratorium represents a significant milestone, we know that it is only temporary, and that our work continues,” Barnhart added. “Further, we know that the need for more attainable housing options has never been greater; but, the good news on both counts is that we have a number of projects already approved or under construction that will allow us to continue to make progress on meeting our housing needs and qualifying for a subsequent moratorium.”
“During the upcoming moratorium, Fairfield can leverage greater control over the size and design of developments,” said First Selectman Bill Gerber. “We have been making steady progress in increasing our affordable housing inventory, mostly by increasing the number of units that are deed-restricted. Our goal is to continue to diversify Fairfield’s housing stock as we recognize the need for more housing choices for Fairfield’s residents.”
Fairfield’s most recent Affordable Housing Plan calls for the Town to explore ways to create “middle housing,” or multi-family developments built on a more modest scale, such as duplexes or triplexes, instead of multi-story apartment buildings. The Town’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity will add more middle housing with two new elevated duplexes at 385 and 402 Quincy Street. This will be the second Habitat project in Fairfield. The first is located at 244 Greenfield Street and is expected to be ready for occupancy in June 2025.
Barnhart noted that a number of pending development applications are considered “grandfathered” and must be considered by Town Plan and Zoning, as they were submitted before the moratorium took effect. Currently, the Town has ten pending applications filed under the State’s Affordable Housing Act. Should any of these applications be constructed, thirty percent of all units would be deed-restricted and available to income-eligible households.
Fairfield, CT – The merchants of Greenfield Hill Commons invite you to their 2nd Annual Egg Hunt, which will take place on Saturday, April 5th, from 10 AM – 11 AM. Bronson the Bunny will kick off the Egg Hunt and be available to take pictures with the kids as well! Additionally, there will be a kid’s craft set-up in the breezeway between Jennifer Butler Designs and BE Chocolat.
Select merchants will also be offering special promotions during and after the egg hunt, including: grab-and-go flowers from Coreen’s Bridge Floral, buy one, get one free off the rack at Jennifer Butler Designs, 20% off your entire purchase from Lexington Home and Garden, and free chocolate and ice cream samples from BE Chocolat.
After the Egg Hunt, beginning at 11:15 AM, BE Chocolat will be offering a kids’ lollipop-making class. Attendees must register in advance; more information is available here.
Greenfield Hill Commons is located at 75 Hillside Road in Fairfield. The Egg Hunt will take place rain or shine.
