From Bill Kaempffer, city’s public safety spokesman:
The Police Department has instituted a “Traffic Calming Plan” with a goal of reducing injuries through increased enforcement.
“This is not an enforcement blitz by the police department. This is a rededication to making sure people drive civilly and safely in the city,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “We recently had a pedestrian killed on State Street. Two children were injured by hit and run drivers earlier this summer. That is unacceptable.”
“We all have a responsibility. Police have a responsibility. Motorists have a responsibility. And truthfully pedestrians have a responsibility. People need to cross the street responsibly. Parents need to teach their kids to look both ways. We all have to look out for each other,” Mayor Finch added.
The city will announce a new way to report traffic issues like speeding. Residents can visit the city’s bConnected site and report problems with speeding in their neighborhood. Just click on the “police” drop box. The information will be forwarded to the traffic division and used for enforcement purposes.
“We know that aggressive enforcement ultimately effects behavior,” said Assistant Police Chief James Nardozzi. “People need to know that driving recklessly through the city won’t be tolerated. There have to be consequences.”
The city’s traffic division will continue to conduct enforcement citywide. In addition, School Resource Officers have been instructed to conduct motor vehicle enforcement around city schools, parks and other places where children congregate.
With school out for the summer, motorists need to be mindful of children at play.
In addition, the department’s patrol unit officers have been asked to emphasize motor vehicle enforcement when not responding to calls for service.
The head of the city’s traffic division met recently with state Department of Transportation officials over available grants for increased enforcement for DUI patrols and “Click it or Ticket” checkpoints.
He has been Mayor since 2007, and he is just realizing there is a huge problem with reckless driving in this city? Really, Mr. Mayor? And where is CW4BB? Where is their outrage? I will give Finch a little bit of credit though too little and way too late for the victims.
Hey BRG,
Did someone say grants???
CW4BB is really CW4RP (Citizens working for the Republican Party).
Can’t argue with that, Fluck.
Go fluck off, Fluck. CW4BB is made up of a cross-section of Bridgeport’s political affiliations. You don’t know what you’re talking about. As far as Traffic Calming is concerned, even if it is too late, we should all welcome this with open arms. Too many people getting hurt across the city because there is a wild west mentality of drivers here in Bridgeport because of too little enforcement. I, for one, am happy the City is finally addressing the problem.
And where is BRG? Um, in the flucking desert.
And what the fluck, Fluck? I thought you were one of the good guys.
I think even if CW4BB were working for the Republican Party, which from what I hear is not the case, what the hell is wrong with that? The Democrats don’t seem to be knocking it out of the “Park City” ethically.
I’m not the only one concerned with public safety …
Zombie Alert: September 7, 2013.
Details: www .zombiecharge.com/#!new-england/cbq/
Lennie,
You are really turning into a mainstream wuss. Goody 2 shoes! 2 much money on the table. 2 many complaints from potential customers. When you go 2 mainstream you lose 2 much of the edge that made you different. 2 much; way 2 much!!!
Troll, we have you for the edge!
When it comes to 2 much money on the table, Too Much Ain’t Enough!
Isn’t it wonderful, indeed truly amazing to see Mayor Finch discussing “responsibility” and to have the police talking about “consequences” as summer really gets into swing? (Naturally I assume each of us desires safe and healthy conditions for all citizens as well as the observance of rules of the road by law-abiding citizens in their automobiles.)
Who is responsible for the millions of dollars of unbudgeted public safety overtime during the past two years? What are the consequences? Does it connect to the new labor contracts? Who will pay for increased pension benefits for those currently working? Will somebody talk to the taxpayers?
Budget & Appropriations meets on Monday July 8 to review what it “learned” from the 2013 budget experience. (If a B&A member does not appear or say anything, does it mean they know it all?)
They were provided with the April monthly report on July 1, 2013 at the City Council meeting. By Charter, they were supposed to receive it by May 24. (If City paychecks to Finance employees were six weeks late, what sounds would we hear from that quarter?)
Where are the consequences for one year of financial reports provided late? Without balanced budget summary as was done for years? Without narrative comments as to variances in revenues and expenditures? Are there problems due to the quantity of employees in the City or the quality of those hired to perform certain tasks? What evaluation mechanisms are in place? What training procedures are producing results six years into this administration? Are ‘fear and loathing’ really part of administrative practice?
Andy Fardy, glad to hear folks in your neighborhood finally got brown bag pickup after waiting a month. Bags sitting for weeks on one Black Rock block were picked up this morning by a neighbor. Rumor is after many calls to the City without satisfaction, the seasonal employees hired to handle this in the past were not. City Hall was looking at the budget and whether pickups were affordable. Perhaps the “hopeful” decision-making suggested by the snow storm handling last winter is affecting our summer work, too?
In any case, when public safety overtime busts the budget it means other work is not affordable and does not get done. Wonder whether the Deputy Police Chief appointed this year to study the “overtime problem” and manage it has a handle on “responsibility” yet and whether there will be any “consequences.” Time will tell.
*** Love all these “civilian safety first” political ideas that go nowhere! Like the youth time curfews and police info drop boxes, etc. Seems like just another way to come up with more so-called probable cause to issue traffic tickets and violate people’s rights in general. Let’s hope it works in stopping all these illegal dirt bikes, scooters, motorcycles, etc. speeders you see every day in Bpt! *** GOOD LUCK! ***
If you want to pry open the juicy stuff, here are the ghoulish details:
twitter.com/zombiecharge
Bloomberg announced his traffic-calming plan last week so Bill Finch aka Junior Bloomberg felt obligated to do the same.
Bloomberg is stepping down as mayor so let’s hope Finch follows suit.
On a side bar … I could not help but notice the missing Jim Callahan article on Goody Knapp. Is that normal practice or did someone take offense? HMMM hmmm. Glad I printed for my collection of strange yet provocative commentary. Was it removed for its insensitivity and lack of taste? Or fear the readers of the blog would insist on a hanging and OIB would be blamed for inciting violence?
*** GOOD MOVE REMOVING THAT “DARK STORY” THAT ONLY SERVED TO REMIND US JUST HOW “IGNORANT” PEOPLE CAN BE TOWARDS CHANGE OR DIFFERENCE OF OPINION! ***
*** ANOTHER CITY’S BRAINSTORM CHILD HEADED NOWHERE IN BPT. ***