DoingItLocal

2022-02-23@10:37am– #Wilton CT– Police are looking for a white pickup truck, the male driver flashed a Wilton High School student.

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Mayor Ganim announced that city will lift the mask mandate in Bridgeport as of 12:01am, Wednesday February 23, 2022.   The Executive Order, No. 4 was issued on August 10, 2021 and required all individuals in the City of Bridgeport to wear facial masks while indoors at any public places and/or in any business.

Mayor Ganim stated, “The COVID virus and the means of protection have stifled our community for two years now.  During that time we took many precautionary measures, used good judgement and made adjustments – the masks helped especially when dealing with COVID variants and when we gathered around individuals that are vulnerable or children not eligible for the vaccine.  I explained that we would review the data and make decisions best for our city.  Based on the numbers in Bridgeport and the surrounding communities, we believe it is time to lift the mandate.  I must add that this does not mean that the virus is over, and that vaccines remain our best line of defense as we cannot predict who will contract the virus or its severity.   Our Health Department will continue to host free vaccination clinics every Friday.”

Free COVID-19 Vaccination clinics continue to be available:

• DPH Communicable Disease Clinic at 752 East Main Street, every Friday
• Full listing of sites at GetVaxBPT.com

Free COVID-19 Testing sites continue to be available seven days a week:

• North Branch Library, 3455 Madison Avenue,
• DPH Communicable Disease Clinic at 752 East Main Street.
• Full listing of sites at GetTestedBPT.com

The City of Bridgeport will remain a “mask friendly” community.   Adults, children, and visitors that choose to continue to wear a mask for their wellness and health protection are encouraged and welcome to do so.   Individuals that feel sick should remember to stay home, and individuals that test positive for COVID are advised to follow appropriate quarantine guidelines.  Information regarding COVID can be found at GetVaxBPT.com

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BRIDGEPORT-On Thursday February 17, 2022, at 1930hrs the Bridgeport Police were dispatched to the 500th block of West Avenue on a preliminary report of a Check the Welfare/Possible Robbery in progress. This was based upon a text-to-911 that was received by the Bridgeport ECC that indicated a party was being held at gunpoint. While on-scene at the door of the apartment Officers provided verbal commands for the occupants to come out. Three parties exited the apartment without incident. Two parties tried to elude police. One was injured from a fall; the other was detained on a roof area.
The incident was investigated by the Bridgeport Police Patrol division along with the Detective Bureau through interviews from all parties over the next few days to determine the exact cause of the incident. It has been determined the incident involved a dispute over money by known parties.
Raymond Lopez of Bridgeport was arrested on the following charges: 29-35(a) CARRYING PISTOL WO PERMIT, 53a-167a INTERFERE WITH OFFCR/RESISTING, 53a-217c CRIM POSSESS PISTOL/REVOLVER, 53a-61aa THREATENING 1ST DEG, 53a-63 RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT 1ST DEG, and 53a-95 UNLAWFUL RESTRAINT 1ST DEG. Bond set at $50,000.
Also Arrested was Amanda Mayo of Norwich on the following outstanding warrant based on 51-164r(a) FLR TO RESPOND TO INFRACTION. Bond set at $1,000.
Reports by outside sources had indicated this incident was a standoff and involved parties shot, which was not the case for this incident but the Bridgeport Police force the media to rely on outside sources since it only took FIVE DAYS after requesting this report. The chief was on scene but refused to talk to the media on what happened but ran off to her car to flee questions.

2022-02-22@8:22pm–#Orange CT– Today’s second vehicle fire is a battery operated forklift truck at FedEx at 161 Marsh Hill Road. The forklift was outside and away from the building.

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HARTFORD, CT – The following is an update on Governor Ned Lamont’s itinerary so far from his economic development mission in Israel. The governor is scheduled to return to Connecticut on Thursday, February 24, 2022.

Friday, February 18, 2022
Arrive in Tel Aviv, quarantine at hotel due to Israeli Covid protocols until negative tests are confirmed
Saturday, February 19, 2022
Walking tours of Jaffa and Tel AvivBusiness dinner with Ofra Strauss, Chairperson of the Board, Strauss Group
Sunday, February 20, 2022
Business meeting with Vintage Investment PartnersFinTech Roundtable with Viola and Digital Currency GroupGoogle programming at Google Campus: Female Entrepreneurs, Arab Workforce, Start-UpsDelegation Dinner
Monday, February 21, 2022
Defense Ministry meeting with Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas, Director of International Defense Cooperation DirectorateCOVID response meeting with Dr. Salman Zarka, Head of Coronavirus Taskforce, Ministry of HealthWorking lunch with Strauss GroupVisit to Future Meat TechnologiesLeave Tel Aviv for JerusalemU.S. Embassy reception hosted by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Thomas Nides
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Business meeting breakfast with Jon Medved, founder, OurCrowdMeeting with President Isaac HerzogGoogle Programming: Industry, Education, and TechnologyOld City Walking Tour: Arub Shuk, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Via Delorosa, Western WallTour Yad Vashem and Eternal Flame Lighting Ceremony

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The press seems to have the same thing on their mind today regarding the Bridgeport Police Department. Connecticut Post wrote an article today asking “Can Ganim staff talk to the press or is media policy too strict” ( I would link to it but it’s hidden behind their pay wall). Lennie Grimaldi of Only In Bridgeport also wrote “For Ganim, Transparency Must Be The Word During Police Chief Search” (http://onlyinbridgeport.com/wordpress/for-ganim-transparency-must-be-the-word-during-police-chief-search/)

Grimaldi feels the chief is camera shy. My experience with her in the past at press conferences was that she always asked me if I need anything like an interview so I don’t think she’s is shy. I believe she is now being directed by the Ganim Administration on what she can say. Last week Ganim, the fire and police chief released a video to announce a high-ranking department official placed on administrative leave following complaint of an alleged sexual assault. It WASN’T a press conference as they wanted the public believe because there was no press present. They wanted to control the message and not answer any questions from the press.

The chief and the administration has been under fire for the way they incompetently handled the Lauren Smith-Fields and Brenda Lee Rawls cases. Five days ago there was a standoff with a gunman at Fairfield and West Avenue. It was the first time I’ve ever seen Chief Garcia at a crime scene so I thought it must have been a big story. While I was doing a Facebook Live report she walked to her car and I asked her for information on what happened. Her reply was they were still gathering information (https://www.facebook.com/DoingItLocal/videos/700258408022197). In EVERY town the chief would give a brief statement, at least let the public know everything now is safe. On February 18th I asked Scott Appleby who is in charge of the Emergency Communication Center and contact point for press inquiries said “Waiting on final report from Detectives”. That must be a detailed report or more incompetence as I’m still waiting on that report to let our viewers know what happened.

A good starting point would be to hire a real communications person for the state’s largest police force. Every surrounding town has one. Mayor Ganim’s office has three of them! When Ganim returned to office in his first term (after returning from prison) he had a communication person for the police department. Rowena White has been the main contact point for the mayor’s office but I have not communicated with her on the phone since 2020 when she verbally lashed out because she didn’t like my questions. I told her from that point out that she only to communicate with me in written form. It’s her office that now lead with these fake press conferences.
Maybe with a police spokesperson we can find out what robberies happen weekly. I’ve worked hard at getting this information with little results through Scott Appleby office. It’s funny, Joe Ganim said during the campaign against former mayor Bill Finch that Finch said “no bad news until after the election”. Who knew that would be present day policy.

CT Post and OnlyInBridgeport both wrote articles about the police department today. Its not just what I’ve experienced. Grimaldi even pointed out “multiple media outlets have made attempts to interview Garcia, the requests were granted. Entreaties were made to the chief. She was not gagged. She just flat out didn’t want to do them, even with administration-friendly outlets such as News 12”. Again I ask, can we start with a police spokesperson? How about some transparency and let the people know what is happening.

2/13- Vehicle entered while parked on street in front of house on Lalley Boulevard. Driver’s side window smashed, Center console and glove box rummaged through. $2,650 in cash taken from center console.
2/13 Another car in the same area of Lalley Boulevard had 2 windows smashed but nothing was taken.
2/13 Vehicles were entered and rummaged through, nothing taken on Pequot Avenue.
2/15 Vehicle entered on Sterling Street, nothing taken.
2/18 Front license plate taken from a car on Colonese Road.
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2022-02-21-@1:54pm–#Fairfield CT– #ctfire– Firefighters quickly extinguish a garage fire on Princess Pine before it extended to the home. Second quick stop like this in 4 days in town.

2022-02-21@1:30pm–#Bridgeport CT– Firefighters extinguish a mattress fire on Louisiana Avenue with no extensions to the home.

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2022-02-21@12:30pm–#Bridgeport CT– #cttraffic– There are no reported injuries in a crash between a car and truck near exit 29 on I-95 northbound.