Bridgeport Police Chief Armando Perez issued the following statement on the recent increase in shooting incidents and shooting victims in the city.
“As Chief of Police, I am very concerned about the recent spike in gun violence in our great City. We, the members of the Bridgeport Police Department, remain deeply committed to ensuring the safety of our citizens. We are working closely with our partners from Local, State and Federal Law Enforcement agencies to stem the gang violence that has so recently impacted our residents.
I have recalled Officers who have been assigned to various specialized units to augment the Patrol Division. These returning officers will proactively police ‘Hot Spots’ identified as high risk for gun violence. Our traffic division has been tasked to conduct increased motor vehicle enforcement in these identified ‘Hot Spots.’ The Detective Division, Narcotics Unit and Gang Task Force continue to work tirelessly in tracking down leads in all recent shooting incidents. We are very confident that those responsible for these heinous crimes will be identified, apprehended and brought to justice.
We also work tirelessly with the various faith-based community organizations that are instrumental in building strong relationships with our youth. These organizations assist in facilitating discussions with the youth of Bridgeport, that are at greater risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of gun violence.
Mayor Ganim has given the Bridgeport Police Department his full support in taking every available measure necessary to protect our citizens. If anyone has any information that may lead to the apprehension for those responsible for these violent criminal acts, please call 203-576-TIPS (8477). Keeping our city safe is everyone’s responsibility.”
From State Rep. Chris Rosario:
Representative Christopher Rosario (D-Bridgeport), in response to a recent disturbing increase in violent crime in Bridgeport, has reached out to Governor Malloy for assistance from the Connecticut State Police to work in concert with the Bridgeport Police Department to address the issue.
“As State Representative for the 128th District in Bridgeport, I have become quite concerned about the recent and rapid increase in gun violence plaguing our city and impacting the safety of our community,” Rep. Rosario said. “Residents must see we are making every effort to quell the violence with a clearly present law enforcement response to this quality of life issue in the city.”
Rosario issued a formal request today and will work with the Governor and law enforcement on putting a course of action together that will have an impact on reducing the violence.
Rep. Rosario took the right, first step. But the noise coming out of Bridgeport should have been made by our entire state delegation, as well as our US Congressional delegation, with the loudest noise coming out of the Mayor’s Office and City Council. And the message, strident and definite, should have been directed to Washington, as well as Hartford. And all the Presidential and Congressional candidates should be invited to react to our request for measures to address all aspects of our municipal distress.
Perhaps a preliminary sketch of a plan of action for addressing Bridgeport’s municipal distress can be drafted in the form of an open letter, signed by our municipal, state, and federal representation and sent to the Governor, President, Congress and the presidential and congressional candidates so at least Bridgeport and its problems can be put on the map in a timely way in this critical election year. We should be actively soliciting commitments from the candidates for action and resources in addressing Bridgeport’s distress. Really, this city is in its death throes. Do we think we have any real options other than massive state and federal assistance to make our city viable again? We won’t get what we don’t demand. We won’t have a better opportunity to make demands for at least another four years, 40 years in Bridgeport time. What is our leadership and representation waiting for? And the media?
“Bridgeport’s distress?!” WTF are you talking about? Why would anyone other than local officials care? I’m not downplaying anything and wish no one comes in harm’s way, however compared to other cities, it’s not there. Your logic is flawed. Chicago has had 487 murders and 2800 shooting victims in all and the liberal media and Democrats who ran that city into the ground barely talk about it. When they do, they want tougher gun laws despite already having the best gun laws in the US. What makes you think any presidential candidate would react to Bridgeport’s six murders when they can go to Chicago, DC or Detroit? Again, I am not and never would downplay the victims in Bridgeport, just arguing your logic.
Lennie, can the other candidate for election in the 128th district make statements for posting on OIB?
Absolutely. Tell him to send me statements, etc.
Only a non-Bridgeport resident who has no clue about the powder keg that is this dying city, in its death throes, and who has absolutely no clue about how and why things happen in politics could make this asinine statement.
“Bridgeport’s distress?!” WTF are you talking about? Why would anyone other than local officials care? I’m not downplaying anything and wish no one come in harm’s way, however compared to other cities, it’s not there. Your logic is flawed. Chicago has had 487 murders and 2800 shooting victims in all and the liberal media and Democrats who ran that city into the ground barely talk about it. When they do, they want tougher gun laws despite already having the best gun laws in the US. What makes you think any presidential candidate would react to Bridgeport’s six murders when they can go to Chicago, DC or Detroit? Again, I am not and never would downplay the victims in Bridgeport, just arguing your logic.”
And when one realizes in terms of scale, Bridgeport, vs. Chicago or Detroit, is small enough so its problems can be effectively addressed in a relatively short period of time, the above statement can’t be regarded as anything but stupid, negative, and anti-Bridgeport.
And furthermore; think of the Marshall Plan that rebuilt post-war Europe with US DOLLARS (as well as the vast sum wasted by the US in recent years killing, destroying and rebuilding around the world). Think of the scale and timeframe and expen$e. And we can’t do that for our own cities?!!!
I lived in Bridgeport for 40 years of my life. Don’t blame me for picking up and doing right by my family. Unlike you, who still lives at home with mommy in the North End, and as a retiree of the PD have dealt with and seen more than you could see from mommy’s basement, obviously. You can sit at home and shake your fist at the perceived injustices and blog but have never done anything other than that to help. You live in a fantasy world my friend. Keep your fingers crossed and hope Hillary comes here to talk about Bridgeport’s issues, just don’t hold your breath is all.
These shootings are the fault of the voters and nonvoters who keep electing these weak-sister mayors starting with Tom Bucci and up to our present mayor Ganim. Most of the voting public votes for the name in the Democratic slot not knowing anything about the candidate.
Look, these shootings are nowhere what they were years ago and have we learned anything? NO. Have we improved conditions for the poor? NO. Have we improved education for the poor? NO. BTW how is integration of the school system going? It’s not.
This city has been and is ruled by weak-kneed assholes who are afraid of their own shadows.
This is a response from someone who can be believed or taken seriously?
The Phantom // Aug 31, 2016 at 5:20 pm
I lived in Bridgeport for 40 years of my life. Don’t blame me for picking up and doing right by my family. Unlike you, who still lives at home with mommy in the North End, and as a retiree of the PD have dealt with and seen more than you could see from mommy’s basement, obviously. You can sit at home and shake your fist at the perceived injustices and blog but have never done anything other than that to help. You live in a fantasy world my friend. Keep your fingers crossed and hope Hillary comes here to talk about Bridgeport’s issues, just don’t hold your breath is all.
Hey Phantom! I just realized I probably know you. (I’m not a cop/detective, so I don’t always put certain things together that fast. So I didn’t connect you with your handle until my present bout of insomnia. Actually, I’m sure subconsciously I didn’t want to connect you with your handle, so it took a little while to make the connection consciously.)
I like you, Phantom. I know you’re a good Bridgeport kid who cares about the city but sees some things a little differently than me. And I would never fault anyone for relocating to a town that affords their family better safety, services and education. Sorry I got a little nasty, at your handle!, with my comments. We all get a little cranky sometimes. (YOU should certainly know that!)
I definitely don’t want politics or blogging to ruin a friendship. So let’s forget about this exchange. (And my mommy says hello and says I have to vacate the basement for her cats and her boyfriend.)
Looking forward to throwing some cigarette butts into the Koi pond with you soon.