Days after the horrific shooting that wounded nine and left one dead at Trumbull Gardens housing project, Mayor Bill Finch on Sunday urged the business community to help raise $100,000 with a goal to get 1,000 firearms off the streets in a gun buyback program. Finch said the city will start the fund with $25,000.
“This is not just a Bridgeport problem,” says Finch. “This is a national problem, and hard-working people in cities across the country are being victimized by weak and ineffective federal gun laws.”
On Sunday the mayor’s office cited statistics from the National Center for Injury Prevention showing that one person is killed in the U.S. by a firearm every 17 minutes, 87 people killed during an average day, and 609 killed every week.
“We can and must do more to stem the tide of illegal guns that end up on our streets and in the hands of criminals,” said Finch. “I guarantee that the people responsible for this terrible crime did not legally possess those handguns. The question is how did they end up in their hands–and what can we do to prevent more weapons from ending up in the hands of criminals?
“That’s why we’re calling on businesses to help us fund our gun buyback program. We all need to do our part to win the fight against illegal guns. It’s critical to ensure our streets are not only safer today, but for generations to come. The numbers speak for themselves. We can–and must–do better. The lives of our kids depend on it.”
Businesses interested in contributing to the city’s gun buyback effort may call the mayor’s office at (203) 576-7201.
How’s this for an idea: stop spending taxpayer money on green signs to fund your reelection bid and put the money into a gun buy-back program? Stop stripping taxpayers of their livelihoods and start saving taxpayer lives with our money.
Wicca, how is this for an idea, Good job Mayor great idea. 1000 fewer guns that were purchased illegally and not registered is a great start. How about giving the signs a break? How about not turning every effort into I hate Bill Finch’s guts.
How about stop equating Bass Pro with more guns in the projects? Even little old ladies don’t buy that crap.
Wicca, I do respect your anti-Finch comment. Sometimes it is better to commend a good idea and address a bad idea than to throw them all in one basket and sound credible. This is a good idea.
When I see a good idea, I will commend it. This is not one of them in my opinion.
Really, Wicca?
How is this for a great idea, Stevie???
Why doesn’t bass Pro come up with $50k for openers and RCI Marine kick in another $50k? If they profit from guns they should be the first to fight to get illegal guns off the street.
Bob, leave it to you. Bass Pro has nothing to do with Bridgeport’s problems and leave it to you to make them part of the cancer that has ruined this city. Bass Pro will be an excellent attraction in this city. You will never patronize them. Want a gun? Go to Walmart. You and your pals are bad for the city. I fear Mary-Jane has become like you, Moore, Gomes and Caruso. With that winning combo Steelpointe and any other development would never happen. G-d only knows what your agenda is Bob Walsh, but I fear Mary-Jane loses votes every time you open your mouth and Bass Pro is going to be just one of the many projects that drown out your negative monotonous whining. Does any politician pay for your advice? I cringe to think Foster would pay to have her campaign sabotaged by an individual incapable of thinking out of the box or having the ability to offer constructive criticism. You are miserable, rarely amusing and always a thorn in the side of the top elected official. Can you possibly say something positive so Mary-Jane Foster has a chance???
Steve, so this move is thinking out of the box, please, this act had been played all over, there is nothing new here. This is a distraction from that terrible shooting of nine people last week and what has happened since then, nothing. There has no description of the two shooters so the public can help. People are living in fear because the police are silent. So Finch needs something to change the picture. I’m sure criminals can’t wait to sell their illegal guns to the City because they will get more money turning in their gun than committing a crime. Criminals who don’t care about their self don’t care about anybody else so they will continue to get and keep guns.
Ron Mackey, the police are silent? Let me tell you one thing about the community there. Even if they witnessed the murder and shooting, took a selfie with him and got his autograph, they would not snitch on him or her. Let me tell you what I learned in the last four years in the school system. Kids snitch and tattle all day long. You tell them to stop and all day you hear snitching and tattletaling. When the students reach 5th grade the snitching slows down. By the time the students reach 8th grade it becomes part of a most disturbing subculture norm. No snitching and it makes the policeman’s job that much more difficult. I am glad my suggestions of cameras in the community was taken. I expect someone will come forward. This was a sad day in Bridgeport and I think Finch has taken steps. Everyone else, just rhetoric. I agree Ron Mackey, plus the “selfie ” generation has become so dysfunctional and disconnected they are all becoming a little less sensitive to the horrors of the world.
The Police Department budget proposed by the Mayor for the coming year shows that department getting $89 Million, the Fire Department getting $59 Million and the Board of Education $56 Million from City taxpayers.
Last week on various OIB threads I posted and re-posted the subject of how to assist fearful citizens with any knowledge of their neighborhood conditions to make that info available to the police with complete anonymity and safety by using a TIPS envelope. The program was created and funded for one year with the US Postal Service, but neither the Police nor the City public relations efforts were of assistance, and they were asked.
A simple idea with less than $1200 per year expense letting older or poorer or more fearful residents say what they saw or heard about guns, drugs, violence, etc. to provide TRUSTWORTHY INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY (TIPS). Too simple an idea? The signage costs a lot less than the green signs. Time will tell.
No more Guns Bass Pro!
No more Guns Bill Finch!
No more Guns Bass Pro!
No more Guns Bill Finch!
Will Finch put a Immediate Moratorium on Guns and Ammo in this city?
Or will he do a $100 buyback with Bass Pro gift cards?
Or is this just a Finch public relations ploy, letting law enforcement officials display a cache of weapons to give an impression of action in the face of crime?
Is it September 16th yet?
Vote Joe Ganim!
So Steve, Bass Pro will not be a responsible business partner in the city? Is that what you are predicting? And you are suggesting the same for RCI Marine?
Your comment is just another emotional rant. Finch has done this previously and again spent other people’s money with no meaningful results. Are we going to keep buying guns that don’t work? That definitely makes the city a safer place to live.
Bob Walsh, How about letting the company move in before we have our hands out demanding they do things. They are not even in the city yet. Give it a break!
Steve, this is just predictable spin by the Finch administration to deflect any criticism and suggest they are proactive. Thugs who commit crimes with guns don’t turn in them in.
True, most do not unless they need the money! It is however a step in the right direction. It is not however, Mr. White, an opportunity to be critical of the Mayor as though he is responsible for any of this! As a Republican, Tom, I find it laughable since Guns, Guns Guns are the mantra of your party and the only way to stop these crimes with guns is to have the good guys with guns. Save your rhetoric.
Steve,
I apologize. THIS IS A GREAT IDEA, MAYOR FINCH. I wish Mary-Jane had come up with this idea. It’s definitely a game changer.
What’s next, Bill???
Maybe we can ask the business community to pony up a half a million to pay OT to our severely understaffed PD so they can make progress on this investigation.
Any other city would be issuing daily briefings but in the ‘Port no news is good news.
Bob Walsh, In the “‘Port,” who are you talking to? Your PEEPS?
What does Mary-Jane Foster have to do with it? Seriously, Bob. This is a Mayoral issue. You are already positioning MJF for a distant third. This police rhetoric is not going to help you. You need to get a platform and a future vision. You cannot talk about the Bluefish because it is mostly Trumbullites and Fairfielders who support the venue.
If economic development is not an issue for her then great for Ganim, Finch, Gardner and Coviello.
People need a reason to vote for an individual, not against. This is a losing strategy, Green signs, Birthday cards and insulting the police department is not the ticket and it is embarrassing to me. It reminds me of you, Gomes and Moore sitting on your asses while a few of us were banging on doors and introducing MJF to the world.
Bob Walsh, you do not need to convince me. I am supporting Mayor Finch.
You need to go get Ganim votes. Finch votes are solid. Anti-Finch votes are going to Ganim. He is treating MJF like she is insignificant and with you as one of her advisers, I can see why!
Charity begins at home. Shouldn’t the Finch administration be setting the example with the first donation?
One day it’s going to make a great church at this rate.
Gun buy-back is a bunch of political BS. Sure, you will get most legal guns turned in but you can bet the gang bangers and the shooters won’t be giving them back for any amount of money. Bass Pro and the other new tenants are not even here yet and trying to make them part of this is BS.
Now where are the police in their investigation of this shooting? They must know who the shooters are by now so why not put their photos and names in the paper? This kind of quietness does not inspire confidence in the PD.
OK, so the Mayor thinks a buyback program is going to reduce gun violence?
I want to know what he is smokin’!
Gangs fueled by the drug trade are deeply embedded in Bridgeport and every urban community across America. As fast as they can try to get guns off the streets, they are shipped by the tractor trailer more guns into the hands of gang members. There is no end to the supply.
These cartels have established a network throughout our country. Just go to website of National Geographic:
channel.nationalgeographic.com/drugs-inc/
Do you think these strategies will even reduce the recruitment of disenfranchised youth from joining gangs?
These disenfranchised youth, mostly young men of color in the Bridgeport Public Schools are dropping out of school daily. They are enticed by money, gold jewelry and fancy cars.
What Bridgeport needs is leadership that has real solutions!
Solutions that include nothing short of providing effective, evidence-based services and programs in every middle school and high school in Bridgeport, including the reinstatement of the evidence-based, nationally acclaimed Leadership Group. In that study, Dr. Joy Kaufman stated, “the Leadership Group should be supported and expanded into every middle and high school in Bridgeport.”
Statements by the mayor suggest he wants to invest in the youth and they are important.
So why hasn’t the mayor taken a stand to advocate for helping these disenfranchised youth by calling for evidence-based programs and services in our schools for these youth who continue to drop out and enter the “school to prison pipeline?”
I invite readers to read the study produced by Yale and to log onto four documentary videos produced about the Leadership Group at Central High School.
David Gordon
former licensed drug counselor
Bridgeport Public Schools
Youth Advocate
Co-Host “Students Telling It Like It Is”
Yale Study: blu182.mail.live.com/mail/ViewOfficePreview.aspx?messageid=mgHvfEfJET5RG-OtidZ1x5bA2&folderid=flinbox&attindex=0&cp=-1&attdepth=0&n=33556537
Central Pride: www .youtube.com/watch?v=YEcJAgu8Pjw
Community: www .youtube.com/watch?v=U2nnPiEASlA
Central High Family Story: www .youtube.com/watch?v=kGCiq8jSzhc
Peer to Peer Results: www .youtube.com/watch?v=k9EA0wwMIHg
Thank you David Gordon for your hard work and commitment.
Saw the Black Rock Day parade on Gilman Street. First mayoral candidate to grace the ‘hood with his presence was Joe “I Am Forgiven” Ganim. Next up was Mayor Finch walking near U.S. Representative Jim Himes (one person shouted “I thought you hated Black Rock” as the mayor strolled by). The gathered multitudes politely acknowledged all three. Then came Charlie Coviello, passing out campaign postcards and telling the folks “I’m running for mayor.”
A couple of people asked “Who is that guy?” I replied “The perennial mayoral candidate.”
“Why is he running?”
“There has to be a back runner in every horse race.”
“Oh.”
Then came Rick Torres. He was afforded a hero’s welcome. Why? Because he is the lone voice of reason on the Bridgeport City Council.
Rick Torres gave a very impressive interview on News 12.