Local News – Page 188

National Shooting Sports Foundation donating 2,500 gun safety locks today

The Newtown-based National Shooting Sports Foundation is donating 2,500 gun safety locks to Bridgeport, Stratford, Fairfield and Waterbury to be distributed to residents free of charge. “We encourage residents to pick up a Project ChildSafe safety kit so that they can learn about the options they have to properly and securely store their firearms at home,” said Steve Sanetti, the CEO of the National Shooting Sports Foundation. “We thank Mayor Finch and Police Chief Gaudett for their leadership in helping to raise awareness about preventing unauthorized access and for distributing these firearm safety kits to gun owners.”

WHAT: Police chiefs and mayors and First Selectmen from Bridgeport and Stratford announce free gun locks from the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 12 at 4 p.m.

WHERE: Mayor’s Conference Room, Margaret E. Morton Government Center, 999 Broad Street.

Applications Available for Police Citizens Academy

(Bridgeport, CT – March 6, 2013) — The Bridgeport Police Department is accepting applications for its annual Citizens Police Academy, which is designed to give citizens an up-close understanding of the police department and its efforts to prevent and solve crime and protect citizens. “The Citizens Academy provides residents and business owners with an inside look at law enforcement and the city’s police force. It lets community members better know their officers and helps officers better know their community,” said Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr. “The goal is to build relationships and have the graduates come back to their communities as ambassadors.”
The application deadline is March 15, and the academy will be held on Thursday evenings from April 4 to June 20.
Participants will have unique access and opportunities to engage and interact with police. The students will have an chance to do a ride-along with a patrol officer, tour the city’s 911 center, see a demonstration by one of the department’s K-9 teams and learn about crime scene processing. They also will gain insight into gangs and learn about the operations about the narcotics and vice unit. “The police department and public need to work together to make Bridgeport the safest city possible. Neither can do it alone,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “This is a real opportunity for people to interact one-on-one with their police officers and learn how they do the job.”
The class size will be limited to 30 students.
Here are some basic requirements:
·   Students must be 21 or older.
·   They must be a Bridgeport resident, taxpayer or business owner.
·   They must be U.S. citizens
Candidates must be of good moral character, in good physical condition and cannot have convictions of a felony or Class A or B misdemeanor.
For more information, please contact Sgt. Meekins at the department’s Community Services Division at 203-576-8278.
The sessions will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the department’s training academy.
Applications will be available on the Police Department website and at the Community Services Division.

Missing Dog Found In Bridgeport

UPDATE–Doggie and owner to reunite tomorrow!

#Bridgeport CT–Francisco Berrios found this pit bull running on Barnum Avenue this afternoon. He says it was almost hit by cars a couple of times. Francisco has the dog in his home. The dog was found with its collar and leash If you are missing this dog call Francisco at (203) 395-2357

15 Year Old Followed By Car

3:07pm–Bridgeport CT–A 15 year old girl was walking to William Street when a white car started following her on Barnum and Caroline Street and attempted to get her into his car. The girl safely made it to her destination and told her mother who immediately called police. Police are interviewing the girl and her mother now. At the moment police are looking for a four door white car with a silver bumper, no plate number nor make or model. The driver is a dark skinned African American driver about 40 years of age. We will update this post as more information becomes available.

Fairfield Police Contract Going Before RTM

Editorial- The RTM will decide the Fairfield Police Department’s Police Contract on March 18th. The police union has been operating without a contract for over two years. That includes two hurricanes and one blizzard of service without complaint. Two weeks ago 5 officers were sent into a wooded area where a man with a gun a during a standoff. The officers did not hesitate to move in when ordered even after a shot already rang out. Why is Fairfield making them wait for a decent contract?

Fairfield has a history of being anti-union, dragging on negotiations with the firefighters union and even the nurses union.

If you live in the town of Fairfield, please contact your RTM officials listed below and tell them you support a decent contract for the police. Tell them you are tired of the town’s anti union position:

District 1:

David M. Becker: 203-424-0024 (phone), david@davidbecker.com (e-mail)

Michael Herley: 203-308-1409 (phone), michael.herley@gmail.com (email)

Carolyn Richmond: 203-259-4803 (phone), clrichmond@optimum.net (e-mail)

Gaylord Meyer: 203-930-2229 (phone), gaylordmeyer@gmail.com (e-mail)

Eric G. Sundman: 203-255-0101 (phone), ericsundman@optonline.net (e-mail)

District 2:

Peter Ambrose: 203-259-0009 (phone), Peterambrose@snet.net (e-mail)

Amy Jennings: 203-259-2335 (phone)

Jeffrey R. Steele: 203-292-3530 (phone), steelejb@optonline.net (e-mail)

John R. Mitola: 203-254-7288 (phone), jrmitola@aol.com (e-mail)

Keith Storm Varian: 203-292-6860 (phone), kvarian@murthalaw.com (e-mail)

District 3:

Edward J. Bateson III: 203-530-3915 (phone), bateson@optonline.net (e-mail)

Thomas P. Conley: 203-255-9659 (phone)

Francis “Hank” Ference: 203-259-6966 (phone), hank110@optonline.net (e-mail)

Mary I. McCullough: 203-255-0877 (phone), mccullough1450@gmail.com (e-mail)

G. David Mackenzie: 203-255-3348 (phone), gdavid_mackenzie@ml.com (e-mail)

District 4:

Joseph M. DeMartino: 203-256-0036 (phone), joseph.demartino@gmail.com (e-mail)

Arthur G. Hug: 203-372-3379 (phone)

Joseph J. Palmer: 203-254-2522 (phone), joe.palmer@mac.com (e-mail)

Heather Dean: 203-255-5238 (phone), heatherdean2012@gmail.com (e-mail)

Amy Mezoff: 203-522-4090 (phone), amezoffrtm@gmail.com (e-mail)

District 5:

Matthew Ambrose: 203-259-0009 (phone), ambrosem@raveis.com (e-mail)

Joshua Garskof: 203-520-5053 (phone), jgrtm5@gmail.com (e-mail)

Christopher M. McAleese: 203-368-2627 (phone), mcaleesechris@ymail.com (e-mail)

Ruth A. Smey: 203-336-3216 (phone), smey@sbcglobal.net (e-mail)

Ann Stamler: 203-767-3614 (phone), annstamler.dem@gmail.com

District 6:

Christopher J. Brogan: 203-615-1896 (phone), cbrogan5@optonline.net (e-mail)

Leonora P. Campbell: 203-335-2423 (phone), leonorartm6@gmail.com (e-mail)

Julie K. Gottlieb: 203-374-1884 (phone), juliertm6@gmail.com

Sheila H. Marmion: 203-373-1855 (phone), marmionsh@aol.com (e-mail)

Jay G. Wolk: 203-203-0591 (phone), jgwolkrtm6@gmail.com (e-mail)

District 7:

Jennifer Hochberg: 203-372-9838 (phone), jahochberg7@gmail.com (email)

Kevin L. Hoffkins: 203-371-5081 (phone), khoffkins@optonline.net (e-mail)

Eric S. Newman: 203-219-9877 (phone), ericnewmancpa@yahoo.com (e-mail)

Marc Patten: 203-820-4447 (phone), marcpatten@att.net (e-mail)

Harold G. Schwartz: 203-371-7217 (phone), hal7rtm@yahoo.com (e-mail)

District 8:

Kathryn L. Braun: 203-256-0334 (phone), kathrynbraund8@yahoo.com (email)

Dana Kery: 203-256-0762 (phone), danakery@gmail.com (email)

Allen Marks: 203-255-9422 (phone), allenmarksrtm@gmail.com (email)

Thomas E. McCarthy: 203-259-4620 (phone), temccarth@yahoo.com (e-mail)

Jeffrey Stopa: 203-521-0825 (phone), jeffstopa2@gmail.com (e-mail)

District 9:

Bill Domeika: 203-650-0986 (phone), williamdomeika@gmail.com (e-mail)

Joseph L.A. Felner Jr.: 203-292-5533 (phone)

Ellen Jacob: 203-259-3747 (phone), dancingusa@optonline.net (e-mail)

Carol Pontrelli: 203-259-4761 (phone), carol.ponti@aol.com (e-mail)

Nicholas D. Mirabile: 203-256-0858 (phone), nickmirabile@yahoo.com (e-mail)

District 10:

Leigh Hannum: Leighhannum@yahoo.com (e-mail)

Kenneth R. Lee: 203-615-3898 (phone), kenlee4rtm@gmail.com (e-mail)

Bruce Ryan: 203-256-8336 (phone), bryan@sourcegrp.com (e-mail)

Carol J. Way: 203-256-8613 (phone), cjffld@gmail.com (e-mail)

Rep Tony Hwang is “Freezin” for Wakeman Boys and Girls Club

On Saturday March 23 at NOON, State Rep Tony Hwang is going into Long Island Sound at Jennings Beach as part of “Freezin’ for a Reason” Polar Plunge! Rep Hwang realizes that this sounds like an absolutely silly and really “COLD” idea but there is a very good reason for his freezin’ plunge – to help raise money for Wakeman Boys & Girls Club – Southport, Stratfield, Bridgeport!

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to do something silly and fun like this to celebrate the 100th Birthday of the Wakeman Club!” Rep Tony Hwang added, “for the past 100 years, The Wakeman Club has helped and made a huge difference in the lives of tens of thousands of young adults. I want to support their mission and help Wakeman begin their next century with a big splash. Please make a DONATION to my “Freezin’ for a Reason” request and support the invaluable positive difference that Wakeman Club makes in our community.”

Thank you for your generous support in advance and let’s work together to making huge contribution to help The Wakeman Boys & Girls Club.

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/TonyHwang/Freezin2013

Fatal Pedestrian Accident In Westport

Westport CT– At approximately 6 pm Saturday night the Westport Police Department received a report of a pedestrian having been struck by a motor vehicle on the Post Road by Bulkley Avenue North.
Arriving officers found the victim, an elderly male lying in the westbound lane next to the vehicle and immediately began medical treatment. The victim was transported from the accident scene to Norwalk Hospital by Westport EMS where he was later pronounced deceased. Police Department identified the deceased person as Bruce
Tabackman, age 68, of Fairfield, CT.

Preliminary information in the accident investigation is that the deceased was not in a crosswalk whenhe was struck by the motor vehicle. The Westport Police Department is asking anyone who may have witnessed the accident to contact the Westport Police Department at 203-341-6000.

Hookah Headaches In Fairfield

Police from Fairfield asked the Public Health Committee Wednesday to allow them to regulate hookah lounges, which they said can currently act as de facto nightclubs in their town. Capt. Joshua Zabin, the Fairfield Police Department’s patrol commander, said officers often respond to calls at hookah lounges, which operate from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. He said it has a negative impact on the neighborhood. CT News Junkie has the full story here…..

Video above was posted March 2012

Man With Gun Arrested In Road Rage Incident

(Westport, CT) Thursday, February 28, 2013, at approximately 5:02pm, Westport Police Dispatch received a 911 call of a road rage incident involving a firearm. The caller reported he was traveling east on Post Road East approaching the Bulkley Avenue intersection when a white male jumped out of his vehicle and pointed a black hand gun at him. The caller was able to obtain the license plate of the vehicle which was registered in Trumbull. The operator and vehicle description were given to Fairfield Police as this was their direction of travel. Fairfield Police located the suspect vehicle on Pemburn Drive in their town and waited for Westport officers to arrive and investigate the incident. A black Glock 9mm semi automatic hand gun was located on the waist of the suspect, 21 year old Tyler C. Keiser. The gun was safely taken from Keiser without incident.

It was reported that Keiser cut off the victim who then flashed his high beams at Keiser. Reportedly, Keiser then exited his vehicle and brandished the firearm.

Keiser was charged with Threatening 2^nd degree 53a- 62, Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree 53a-64 and Breach of Peace 2^nd degree 53a-181 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Keiser was released on a $2500 bond and is scheduled to appear in the Norwalk Court on 03/08/13. The handgun was seized as evidence. The investigation revealed that the firearm is registered to Keiser and that Keiser has a carry permit for the weapon.

Whitehead’s Plane Sculpture NOT Hijacked As First Feared

I received calls and e-mails from a few followers fearing that the sculpture/mobile of aviation pioneer Gustave Whitehead had been hijacked. Everyone feared the wound up in a salvage shop. No one knew exactly when including customers and employees at the McDonald’s that is next to it when it disappeared. The foundation proudly showed the corporate sponsor ADKO and I knew they were down the block on State Street. It turns out it was taken down for the winter so it would not receive any damage from storms. The video below shows how active the mobile is in the wind. The video was recorded the day of its dedication May 15, 2012.