Tag: Bridgeport CT

Mayor Finch on police union negotiations

Video interview–Mayor Finch took time out to talk about they upcoming negotiations with the Bridgeport Police Union after announcing the final push for funding for the police memorial that will be located outside the police station on Congress Street.

I asked the mayor if we are still looking at concessions and layoffs and he replied that “they are negotiations and arbitration and expects they will have a great result”. I stated that the budget was passed by the city council with assumptions, were the assumption that they will make concessions, they (the union) already made concessions? The mayor responded “every year we are always asking the union for more concessions” The council added another $400,000 in concessions while the mayor added $1.6 million in concessions. I asked if his stance could be considered anti-union since the union keeps giving concessions they mayor said no because these are agreements that are made and that money is short everywhere.

I asked if he fears highly trained officers looking elsewhere for employment like what happened to Fairfield that just lost an officer to Westport while Fairfield was locked in negotiations for a long period of time. All that training and time the town invested in the officer was lost. The mayor said “we are always concerned about that, we want our officers to stay here, we want to have high morale, I think we have that now and we certainly want to be careful as we negotiate that we don’t have your fortune come true”.

Home invasion attempt

11:20pm–#Bridgeport CT–Police are investigating a home invasion at 86 Pequonnock Street. Police are looking for an Africian American male, gray hoodie and dark sneakers, with a gun….that narrows it down but I’ve heard police work with less and get an arrest. UPDATE–Two males, one Hispanic tried to force their way in but did not get in. A black handgun was displayed with a red laser. They took off after they could not get through the door!

Fundraising Effort for Bridgeport Police Memorial

Mayor Bill Finch and the leadership of Bridgeport Police Union Local 1159 announced plans for a July fundraiser with a goal of raising $50,000 toward a Bridgeport Police Memorial outside Police Headquarters on Congress Street. Tens of thousands of private sector dollars already have been raised to match the public investment in the important project.

On Wednesday, National Peace Officer Memorial Day, Mayor Finch honored Bridgeport’s Police Officers for the dangerous work they do every day to keep residents safe.

“On average, one American law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty every 57 hours,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “It is a dangerous and difficult job. Tragically, some don’t make it home at the end of their shift and we need to honor them for their bravery and service.”

Fundraising has been ongoing for the memorial. Construction is expected to begin this summer. An event has been scheduled for July 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Fire Engine Pizza Company, 2914 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Supporters also can purchase commemorative brick pavers that will be incorporated into the memorial. Order forms can be found at the Police Union website at http://www.bridgeportpoliceunion.com/id34.html.

“This is a meaningful week for everyone who works in law enforcement,” said Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr. “This is the one profession that runs toward gunfire. There is a bond, a brotherhood, that is hard to explain. We consider it an honor and duty to attend funerals for brother and sister officers whom we’ve never met.”

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15th falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

“We look forward to working with the mayor, police chief and all supporters of law enforcement to make this memorial a reality,”  said police union president Charles Paris.

A dozen Bridgeport police officers have paid the ultimate sacrifice. The most recent officer to die in the line of duty was in 1980.

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