On March 7, 2024, at 6:30 a.m., the Narcotics and Vice Unit, assisted by the Bridgeport Police Task Force, executed a search warrant at 22 Marsh Way in response to ongoing quality-of-life complaints from neighborhood residents. The operation led to the seizure of crack cocaine and associated narcotics materials, resulting in the arrest of ten individuals over the last seven weeks, including Alberto Otero (33) faces charges of sales of narcotics, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, operating a drug factory, and criminal possession of ammunition. Jessica Villafane (45) is charged with sales of narcotics, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, and operating a drug factory. Michelle Coughlin (42) faces charges of possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, and operating a drug factory.
Bridgeport, CT – On March 5th, Mayor Ganim attended the Yale Mayors College in Washington, D.C.; an intensive one-day peer-driven roundtable that offers a highlight interactive environment with case studies from participants and other leading global cities. Participants are typically joined by 150 global CEOs and policy figures for the linked Yale CEO Summit. This year, Mayor Passero of New London and Mayor Ganim were the only two mayors from Connecticut in attendance at the summit. Notable business leaders that were also in attendance included CEOs of T-Mobile, AOL, and American Airlines.
“It’s very exciting being able to attend the Yale Mayors College in Washington, D.C.; it’s a huge deal to be able to learn from and collaborate with other mayors and business leaders,” stated Mayor Ganim. “The most interesting thing is being able to hear other perspectives on what it means to lead and how we can all come together to continue to best serve our communities through guidance we all get to share with each other. I appreciate every opportunity I get to continue to learn while in spaces like these.”
This year’s theme for the summit was The Secondary Business Effects of the Primary Election Season: Lessons on Guiding Investor, Workforce, Customer, & Community Harmony. As this was the key topic, mayors from other cities and towns were able to share information regarding work being down within their communities. Mayor Ganim primarily focused on brownfields and the waterfront in Bridgeport; both of which are scopes of work that are currently in progress of reconstruction and development within the City. Safety and security were also in the discussion during the summit, as these two areas of interest are a common top priority for cities and towns, including Bridgeport.
On March 7, 2024, at 6:30 a.m., the Narcotics and Vice Unit, assisted by the Bridgeport Police Task Force, executed a search warrant at 22 Marsh Way in response to ongoing quality-of-life complaints from neighborhood residents. The operation led to the seizure of crack cocaine and associated narcotics materials, resulting in the arrest of ten individuals over the last seven weeks, including Alberto Otero (33) faces charges of sales of narcotics, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, operating a drug factory, and criminal possession of ammunition. Jessica Villafane (45) is charged with sales of narcotics, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, and operating a drug factory. Michelle Coughlin (42) faces charges of possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, and operating a drug factory.
On the morning of March 7, 2024, Connecticut State Police received two unrelated phone calls from victims with the same last name who both have out of state phone numbers but reside in Connecticut.
In the first instance, the victim took a phone call from a male who appeared to have an accent and advised the victim that they were investigating text fraud. The caller then attempted to verify personal information of the victim.
In the second instance, the caller also appeared to have an accent and identified himself as being a US Marshal working with CT State Troopers. He told the female victim that there was an arrest warrant for her.
Both victims became suspicious and hung up on the caller. The caller made it appear as if the calls came from a State Police phone number.
If you find yourself receiving a phone call that appears to be from the police or the caller claims to be from police, your State Troopers encourage you to confirm the source before providing any personal information over the phone (including your social security number, banking information, credit card numbers or any other personal identifying information).
Hang up on the suspicious caller and contact the institution that is allegedly calling you to confirm that they are the true source of the request. Report suspicious calls by calling 911.
Joshua Mercado, a 41-year-old part owner of the “Elevate CT” vape shop, turned himself in to Bridgeport Police in connection with a double shooting that occurred on January 28, 2024, in downtown Bridgeport. The incident began inside the vape shop and escalated into a street altercation. Mercado, a convicted felon, faced charges, including Assault in the 1st Degree, Criminal Possession of a Pistol/Revolver, Illegal Discharge of a Firearm, and Breach of Peace.
The shooting incident unfolded in the 1100 block of Main Street, with a 27-year-old Milford man suffering a gunshot wound to the buttocks. Two others, a 29-year-old Naugatuck woman and a 57-year-old Naugatuck woman, sustained injuries during a related motor vehicle crash. Another victim, a 23-year-old Bridgeport man, later sought treatment at a hospital for a gunshot wound to the abdomen. A vehicle believed to be involved in the crime was located in the 100 block of Wilcox Street.
The investigation, led by Detective Kevin Cronin, is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Bridgeport Police Tips Line at 203-576-TIPS.
On March 3, 2024, at approximately 10:15 pm Bridgeport Police responded to ShotSpotter activations (15 rounds) within the 300 block of Wells Street. ShotSpotter is a gunshot detection system. Once gunshots are fired in an area covered by this service, police receive a notification within one minute directing them to the location of the gunfire.
Upon arriving in the area, Officers were unable to locate a victim or a crime scene. A short time later, 2 male victims presented at an area hospital suffering from gunshot wounds. The first victim, a 21-year-old Bridgeport man, arrived at the hospital suffering from gunshot wounds to an extremity (leg). The second victim, an 18-year-old Bridgeport man, arrived at the hospital suffering from gunshot wounds to his extremities (leg and arm). Both victims have injuries that are described as non-life-threatening. They are listed in stable condition.
The Detective Bureau has responded and taken charge of the criminal investigation. Multiple items of evidence were located on the sidewalk in front of 2509 Main Street (Max’s Grocery Store). Those items have been collected and processed by the Police Department’s Detective Bureau and Patrol Division. This appears to be an isolated incident where the victims were targeted.
Detectives conducted interviews, canvassed the area, and documented their investigation. The Bridgeport Police Department is asking for your help in solving this crime. Anyone with information is asked to contact the case officer, Detective Ken McKenna, at 203-581-5245. Citizens can also utilize the Bridgeport Police Tips Line at 203-576-TIPS.
BRIDGEPORT, CT – The City of Bridgeport is pleased to announce residents can now bring separated glass for recycling to our transfer station.
As a part of the City of Bridgeport’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and addressing solid waste issues, specific bins for residents to voluntarily recycle glass have been established at the transfer station on Asylum Street. Examples of recyclable glass includes glass jars (mayonnaise, tomato sauce), glass liquor bottles, and glass dishes.
These new bins, courtesy of Oak Ridge Recycling, give Bridgeport environmentally minded residents a way to recycle and save the city money.
“Tipping fees for Bridgeport’s municipal solid waste continue to rise,” stated Mayor Ganim. “These new bins at the transfer station give residents who chose to separate and recycle glass a free destination to bring that glass, knowing it will be recycled properly. This also gives Bridgeport residents the opportunity to add to the ongoing commitment to sustainability and support recycling efforts within our City.”
How to: Keep a separate bin at your house for your glass bottles and containers. Please rinse/clean out the containers before bringing them. Bridgeport residents can use the transfer station free of charge. Bring your bin to 475 Asylum Street with your bin and dump your glass directly into the green Oak Ridge bins, marked “glass”. The glass will be transported to Urban Mining in Beacon Falls and used in the creation of cement/concrete, thus lowering those products’ carbon footprint.
The Stratford Library will host Westport author Hilary Arnow Burns for a special “Meet- the-Author” program on Sunday, March 10 at 2 pm.
Burns will discuss her humorous new advice book, Real Talk: How to Say the Things You’ve Never Said So You can Have the things You’ve Always Wanted. The talk, presented as part of the nationwide celebration of “Women’s History Month”, is free and open to the public.
In her latest book Hilary Burns, host of the “Getting Real With Hilary Show”, reveals the real cost of not speaking up: broken marriages, lost jobs and profound unhappiness. Using her signature “Getting Real Process”, Burns teaches women and men how to finally get what they’ve always wanted by harnessing the power of Real Talk.
“Meet-the-Author: Hilary Arnow Burns will be held 2-3 pm on March 10 in the Stratford Library Lovell Room, 2203 Main Street in Stratford. Autographed copies of Burn’s books will be available for purchase following her talk.
For further information call the Library at: 203.385.4162 or visit www.stratfordlibrary.org.
ROCKY HILL — Across the state, from Route 15 to I-84, I-91 and I-95 to rural roads, the Connecticut State Police have launched expanded efforts to reduce highway fatalities through targeted enforcement.
These initiatives, which have already begun, include using police data to guide additional patrols and enforcement saturation along highways where crashes and fatalities have become more common.
Gov. Ned Lamont joined Interim Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Ronnell A. Higgins, Interim Col. Daniel Loughman, commanding officer of the CSP, and Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto to make the announcement Thursday along I-91 in Rocky Hill.
Connecticut has seen an unacceptable increase in driving and pedestrian fatalities as concern has grown about unsafe and reckless driving on state highways. More recently, there have been 3 wrong way crashes in the state, with 7 fatalities.
“The Connecticut State Police and our law enforcement partners remain committed to protecting the safety of our roadways and preventing irresponsible drivers from endangering the lives of others,” Gov. Lamont said. “We are sending a clear message that reckless driving is dangerous and illegal, and we have zero tolerance for the poor decisions of those whose negligence puts others in harm’s way. With more ridesharing services available now than at any other point in history, there is absolutely no excuse for anyone who may be impaired not to get a designated driver.”
DESPP, which oversees the Connecticut State Police, is working collaboratively with other state agencies and municipal police departments to improve enforcement and educate motorists.
“We know where the greatest problem areas are. We know that increased enforcement works,’’ said Interim DESPP Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins. “Using data, improved technology, and targeted enforcement, we will work with our other partners in government to reduce highway fatalities.’’
Commissioner Eucalitto said the DOT would continue to work closely with DESPP, the Connecticut State Police, and other partners.
“I am appreciative of law enforcement who are out on the roads day and night keeping our communities safe,’’ Eucalitto said. “We at CTDOT are doing what we can from a design, engineering, and construction standpoint to help people get to their destination safely. Despite all of these efforts, it is the driver who can control their actions. Remember to slow down, pay attention, and drive sober.”
There were 302 deaths along state highways in 2021, 366 in 2022, and 322 in 2023, according to the DOT. There have been 49 fatalities in 2024. Historically, traffic fatalities in Connecticut have been trending downward since 1980, despite a recent surge.
“In addition to patrolling thousands of miles of roads in our state, the Connecticut State Police also regularly plan initiatives to combat distracted driving, aggressive driving, and operating under the influence,’’ Col. Loughman said. “Patrol troopers, in conjunction with our Traffic Services Unit and the DOT, work collaboratively to focus on deterring dangerous driving – including wrong way drivers – on all Connecticut roads.”
(Hartford, CT) – Following an investigation that uncovered nearly 400 deceptive real estate agreements in Connecticut through the company MV Realty, Attorney General William Tong today urged legislators to pass legislation banning the multi-year predatory listing deals and nullifying all existing unfair contracts.
MV Realty is a Florida-based company with two licensed realtors in Connecticut. An investigation conducted by the Office of the Attorney General revealed that the company has targeted hundreds of lower-income homeowners in Connecticut, offering residential exclusive listing agreements, which MV calls “Homeowner Benefit Agreements.” Through these agreements, MV provides a small cash payment of a few hundred dollars in exchange for the exclusive right to list their homes for sale for a period of 40 years. If a homeowner chooses to sell their home during that period, MV merely posts the home to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). They do not serve as a real estate agent. If the homeowner seeks to cancel the exclusive listing agreement or lists their home without using MV, they are subject to a draconian penalty of 3 percent of the market price of their home—often worth several thousand dollars. Moreover, the exclusive listing agreements are entered on the land records as a lien.
“MV Realty preyed on hundreds of Connecticut homeowners with scam deals. Their agreements offered small amounts of up-front cash in exchange for decades-long contracts that few people understood or even had the chance to review. Connecticut law should leave no doubt—these contracts must be banned and voided,” said Attorney General Tong.
There are approximately 400 MV Homeowner Benefit Agreements recorded on residential land records in Connecticut. The Office of the Attorney General sent surveys to all 400 homeowners and has received responses from more than 100 people to date.
Many homeowners reported that they did not understand the terms of the agreement when it was offered, were not given time to review the paperwork presented and reviewed and signed the exclusive listing agreements on cracked iPads without a notary present. Some were not afforded the opportunity to read the agreement at all and had it read to them, while others were not given copies of the agreements after execution. Many homeowners did not learn of the terms of the exclusive listing agreement until they were preparing to close on the sale of their home or refinancing and the lien was discovered following a title search, forcing them to pay exorbitant amounts to have it removed.
After a handful of states sued MV, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and sought to enjoin the states’ actions. MV was unsuccessful in preventing the suits from going forward and states including Connecticut continue to pursue all available remedies for removing the exclusive listing agreements from homeowners’ land records and seek restitution for consumers who were forced to pay MV.
Legislation proposed by the Office of the Attorney General would make clear that such unconscionably long exclusive listing agreements are unenforceable and would provide mechanisms for removing existing agreements from land records. The legislation would limit such agreements to one year and prohibit recording such agreements on land records. The proposal would further nullify all existing unfair excusive listing agreements and give homeowners and the Attorney General authority to seek removal of these agreements from land records.
