DoingItLocal

Two people were injured when the parked their SUV into an elevator that wasn’t there.  The car landed on its roof and firefighters worked to free the men before removing it from the shaft.

Mayor Bill Finch and Greater Bridgeport Transit officials urge City residents to come to the Greater Bridgeport Transit Main Bus Terminal at 710 Water St., to cool off on Tuesday, July 17, and Wednesday, July 18 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  The American Red Cross will provide cold water.

“With the temperatures expected to reach into the mid-90’s today and tomorrow, coupled with high humidity it has the potential to be some of the hottest temperatures yet this summer,” said Mayor Finch. “I urge anyone who needs a place to cool off to come to the bus terminal or visit a local senior center or one of our libraries to stay cool during the next couple of days,” said Mayor Finch.

Mayor Finch urges residents to take property precautions, stay hydrated, wear loose fitting clothing, limit outdoor activities, and check on friends or loved ones who might be homebound to make sure they are okay

More information about how to stay cool in hot weather can be found on the City of Bridgeport web site under Emergency Management/Hazards.

Here are some prevention tips to stay safe in the heat:

• Know the signs and symptoms of heat stroke, heat stress, and heat cramps.  These are described below.
• Have the phone number of your family doctor clearly posted next to your phone (and stored in your cellular phone).

• Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level.  Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink.  Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him/her how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
• Don’t drink liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar–these actually cause you to lose more body fluid.  Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
• Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place.  If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the movies, shopping mall, public library, or a friend’s house/apartment with air conditioning–even a few hours spent in an air conditioned environment can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness.  Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.

• Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others.  Check regularly on:

Ø  Infants and young children

Ø  People aged 65 or older

Ø  People who have a mental illness

Ø  Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure

• Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.  Infants and young children need much more frequent watching.

• If you must be out in the heat, limit your outdoor activity to early morning and evening hours.  Cut down on exercise.  If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour.  A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.  Warning: If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage.
• Try to rest often in shady areas
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).

It is important to become familiar with the signs and symptoms of heat stroke, heat stress, and heat cramps, and to have an action plan so that you will know what to do if you see these signs and symptoms:

• HEAT STROKE is the most serious heat-related illness and is accompanied by hot, dry skin; shallow breathing; a rapid, weak pulse; and confusion.  Heat stroke occurs when a person’s body temperature exceeds 105 degrees Fahrenheit and could render the victim unconscious.

Health officials advise that if you believe that someone has heat stroke, call for emergency medical treatment or have the person taken to the hospital immediately.  While waiting for emergency personnel move the victim to a cool area out of direct sunlight; sponge bathe with cool water; and fan.  If possible, relocate the person to an air-conditioned room.

• HEAT EXHAUSTION is characterized by heavy sweating, weakness and cold, pale, clammy skin.  There may also be fainting and vomiting.  If someone appears to be suffering from heat exhaustion, they should be moved to a cool area out of direct sunlight, sponge bathed with cool water and fanned.  Also, give sips of water to the individual every 15 minutes for one hour

HEAT CRAMPS are characterized by painful spasms, usually in muscles of the legs and abdomen and by heavy sweating.  To relieve heat cramps, apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage the muscles.  As in the case of heat exhaustion, give sips of water every 15 minutes for one hour.

A 23^rd Haitian man has sued Fairfield University and affiliated religious and charitable organizations for sexual abuse they suffered as children in a residential school in Haiti founded and operated by a university alumnus who later was prosecuted as a pedophile.    Courant.com has the full story here……

Just before 10pm police came across a car that crashed into a tree on Reservoir Avenue between City View Avenue and Grandview Avenue Monday night. Although the driver was not trapped he was injured and police called the firefighters to assist getting him out of the car, as you can see was on a steep angle. The driver was transported to a local hospital, the extent of his injuries are not known at this time.

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**Live Breaking News Feed**

7/16/2012

12:11pm–Fairfield–Firefighters have clear Independence Hall after an earlier report of a white powder found inside a tissue box. It was determined to be lint from the tissues themselves.

12:40am–#Fairfield–Man has lacerations after going through a door at the Gray Goose at 246 Old Post Road. Police on scene, EMTs on the way. UPDATE–Scratchy police transmissions indicate he was thrown through the window.

12:23am–#Seymour–#ctfire–Report of a structure fire on Curry Hill.

7/15/2012

11:35pm–#Bridgeport–Man shot in the leg at Pembroke and Stillman Street. Thanks to Recover My Flash drive in Fairfield for sponsoring the Bridgeport Police radio! With out them we would only be getting half the news out of Bridgeport.

10:00pm–#Bridgeport–Employee locks up and leaves with 3 customers in the store at Boston Book and Video at 2053 Boston Ave.. Customers called police to let them out. I was just getting on the highway when police freed them.

6:30pm–Bridgeport–Report of a kitchen fire at 3 Rockridge Road. UPDATE–Oven fire quickly extinguished.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration has spent more than $250,000 upgrading the security system at the governor’s Hartford mansion, state records indicate.  The biggest expenditure is $130,000 to fence in the entire 4.5-acre property for the first time since the state bought it 69 years ago.    Courant.com has the full story here…..

A three year old was mugged while sitting in his stroller Saturday. The mugger came up to the boy in his stroller and snatched a $400 gold necklace given to him by his grandparents on his baptism. The mother yelled at the mugger to let her son go, but he just laughed at her. He fled on foot along with a partner. They are thought to be 16 or 17 years of age. The New York Post has the full story here…….

Fairfield–A person at the Fairfield Beach Club on Fairfield Beach Road reported to police around 8:15pm Saturday evening that a balloon she believes was caring people landed in the water on Jennings Beach, possibly closer to St. Mary’s by the Sea in Bridgeport. Police were quick to be on the scene and only located a yellow kayak but no balloon. They spoke to several people at the club who say it may have been a Chinese Lantern. While police were interviewing witnesses at the club I talked to a number of people enjoying the weather at St. Mary’s and all said they had been there for quite a while and saw nothing in the sky. They said the were looking towards Jennings beach area. Fairfield Police continued investigating and determined it must have been the lantern.

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**Live Breaking News Feed**

7/14/2012

1:33am–#Bridgeport–Report of a fight in front of Dolphin’s Cove on Seaview Ave. Possibly from a car accident so not on porpoise….

12:41am–Bridgeport–#BlackRock– If heading out to the clubs in Black Rock don’t run over the guy laying in the road in front of Black Rock Yacht Club.

12:40am–Bridgeport–Police break up kids fighting on Beechmont and Broadway. Busy night! Summer in the city!

12:14am–Bridgeport–2 detained after shots fired on Kossuth and Jane Street. If you are parked on Beach Street you may want to check your car for bullet holes as reported by police. NO gunshot victims reported at this time.

7/13/2012

10:44pm–Bridgeport–Police disburse a large gathering of kids (over 40) on Brooks and Shelton Street.

9:46pm–Bridgeport–Report of a street fight on William Street (off Huntington St.). Medics requested to the scene as PD arrives.

2:32am–Bridgeport -Report of a structure fire at 440 of Arctic Street near East Main St. UPDATE– ‎2:53am–Bulk of the fire has been knocked down. Some fire showing on the 3rd floor. Firefighters are opening up the walls and checking for extensions.

Arthur Walker, 35,  drove his  pickup truck while nude through Southwest Center.  Crashes into the front doors of the mall, makes a right an into Champs Sporting Goods where he dresses with stolen merchandise.   WFAA has the full story here  with video below…….