Category: Bridgeport

Bridgeport, CT – Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is offering free admission to the zoo every Saturday from now until June 29th as a part of their Cool Blue Bridgeport Initiative for Bridgeport residents. Cool Blue Bridgeport is intended to connect with the citizens of Bridgeport and empower them to take action to help address the effects of climate change. Each month will spotlight a different animal at the zoo and there will be free programming onsite at 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Participants will not only learn about how animals are affected by the changing climate but also how residents can collectively make a difference.

Mayor Ganim stated, “The Beardsley Zoo is an important part of Bridgeport and I’m appreciative of their continued efforts to provide Bridgeport residents with opportunities to learn about animals, the planet, and climate change. Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is the only zoo in the state, and we are proud to have such a great resource right here in Bridgeport.”

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All guests MUST register online using the code COOLBLUE (All caps, no space). Adults will need to show a photo ID proving Bridgeport residency (driver’s license, Park City ID, recent piece of mail showing current residency) upon arrival at the Zoo’s Front Gate. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Look out for other upcoming events through the Cool Blue Bridgeport initiative in the next few months. For more information about the Cool Blue Bridgeport Initiative please visit: https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/cool-blue.html For tickets please visit: https://webstore1.centaman.net/beardsleyzootickets/calendar/Area/10

Update to include a picture provided by a viewer:

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 5^th, 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.

2024-03-07@7:11pm–#Bridgeport CT– 2 pedestrians were hit by an older Nissan in the 300 block of Trumbull Avenue. The car then fled down Reservoir Avenue towards Sylvan Avenue.

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 Police said in a state that around 1338hrs (1:38 civilian time), initial 911 reports of a homicide that occurred on the 300th block of Olive Street. Police are on the scene conducting an investigation at this time. No further information is available at this time.

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.

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2024-03-06@3:30pm–#Bridgeport CT– #cttraffic— A crash at I-95 southbound with injuries on Route 8/25 southbound at the split.

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.

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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.