From city Communications Director Brett Broesder:
Bridgeport is seeing historic lows in violent crime for another consecutive year, according to preliminary 2014 statistics compiled for the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report. And, Mayor Bill Finch and the Bridgeport Police Department are attributing it to a growing economy, efforts to crack down on gun and gang violence, and efforts aimed at helping the re-entry community.
They’re also attributing it to a diverse police department, which is seeking to be even more diverse soon as the police department is embarking on an aggressive recruitment effort.
Bridgeport’s anticipated violent crime drop in 2014 follows a more than 20 percent drop in violent crime in 2013 when compared to 2012.
“I’m the father of four kids who were born and raised in Bridgeport. And, I’m proud to say that our city is safer and stronger today than any other time that I can remember,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “It’s resulting in Bridgeport being a place where more people want to live and work, where more companies want to invest and hire people, and where our strong communities are helping to make for an even stronger economy.”
The crime rate in Bridgeport is the lowest it’s been in several decades. At the same time, major development projects are underway across the city.
“We’re creating jobs, growing businesses, investing in clean energy, providing second chances for those re-entering our community, and cracking down on illegal gun trafficking and gang activity. All of this and more are contributing to our historic reductions in crime. But we still have more work to do. We’re not complacent. We’ll continue working hard every single day to crack down on crime,” Mayor Finch added.
When compared to similar sized cities in New England, Bridgeport has seen the largest decrease in violent crime over the past decade, according to Rhode Island based WPRI.
“In Bridgeport, we’re taking a multi-pronged approach to cracking down on crime–and it’s working,” said Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr. “We have the largest decrease in crime when compared to New England cities of similar size. Our crime rate is at its lowest levels in 40 years. And, since Mayor Finch took office in 2007, crime has dropped nearly 15 percent.There are several reasons for this, including strong community policing, partnering with groups like Project Longevity and the Statewide Urban Violence Cooperative Crime Control Task Force, and a growing economy that is creating job opportunities. Bridgeport is getting safer every day. But we’re working harder than ever to ensure that our streets are safer and more secure than ever before.”
And, even as crime continues to declined, the solvability rate remains high for the crimes that do occur. That is important, Gaudett said, because it takes dangerous people off the street. It is also important because holding people accountable for their crimes is a natural deterrent for others.
“We have made a lot of progress and Bridgeport is safer than it has been in decades. It always feels good seeing that hard work has paid off. Mayor Finch and the Bridgeport Police Department are focused on 2015, reducing crime even further and making Bridgeport a place where people want to live, work and raise their families,” said Gaudett.
Bridgeport also has a lower crime rate than other large cities in Connecticut–which include Hartford and New Haven–according to city-data.
The state’s largest city also has the most diverse police department in the state when compared to other large cities, including Hartford, Waterbury, Stamford, and Norwalk.
But the department is looking to do even better on this front, enhancing its racial and gender diversity with an aggressive recruitment effort.
The Meriden Record Journal’s editorial board recently applauded Mayor Bill Finch and the Bridgeport Police Department for its diversity and recruitment efforts in stating:
“Municipalities nationwide have problems maintaining racially diverse forces. Bridgeport is an example to the contrary, with 43 percent of police being minority. The city recruits heavily, including at local churches and colleges, and events like the Juneteenth and Puerto Rican Day parades. Moreover, officials ask all officers to submit the name of one person they think would make a great officer,” said Mayor Finch.Mayor Bill Finch noted that the police recruitment effort is aimed at strengthening safety and security in the city, and making the department more representative of the community.
“We have two goals. We want to hire the best qualified candidates to protect our kids and families. And, we want to have a police department that is representative of our community. We’re not complacent. We still have work to do. That’s why we’re recruiting as we speak, and we’re asking for the community’s help,” said Mayor Finch.
For more information on police recruitment, click here: 1.usa.gov/1DC1zsi.
Bridgeport police investigate two shootings
Posted on February 11, 2015 | By Frank Juliano
BRIDGEPORT — Police are investigating two separate shooting incidents that occurred less than 15 minutes apart Thursday night.
The victim in the first incident, at 11:23 p.m., was uncooperative with police and became verbally abusive when questioned, said police spokesman William Kaempffer.
The incident occurred at the Charles F. Greene Homes on Washington Avenue, and officers traced a trail of blood from the lobby of Building 5 to a fourth-floor apartment, Kaempffer said.
The victim, Raiheen Johnson, 32, of Bridgeport, told police that he was shot by a masked man during an attempted robbery, but wouldn’t say any more.
Detectives returned to the building this morning and are examine footage from the security cameras, Kaempffer said.
In the second incident, Joshua Robles, 19, of Bridgeport, told police that he was sitting inside a car on Wells Street at 11:37 p.m., when two people walked up and fired shots into the vehicle. Robles was struck in the chest and thigh. The injuries were not life threatening.
Capt. Armando Perez, the captain of detectives, said the shooting does not appear to be a random act.
Robles’ name had surfaced as a possible suspect in a January shooting. The investigation into Tuesday’s shooting is in its early stages but detectives are investigating any possible link between the incidents, he said.
blog.ctnews.com/connecticutpostings/2015/02/11/bridgeport-police-investigate-two-shootings/
Indeed–keep the momentum going.
BRIDGEPORT – Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying two people wanted in connection to a robbery of a Chinese food delivery man of his wallet and car.
The incident happened at about 8 p.m. on January 29th when a delivery driver from a Chinese food restaurant was accosted while making a delivery to an apartment building on Monroe Street, according to a press release from the Bridgeport Police Department.
The delivery man was robbed of his money, food and vehicle. The vehicle was recovered a short time later.
Police are still trying to locate the two men and have released a video from building lobby which shows the robbery.
Detectives are attempting to identify the two individuals shown in the security video. One of the individuals brandished a handgun.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Michael Fiumidinisi at 203-581-5246 or Detective Art Calvao at 203-581-5240.
It’s always safe in the Mayor’s office where things get better every day.
The ministry of enlightenment and propaganda has turned a legitimate news item into another opportunity to use the tired quote: “I’m the father of four kids who were born and raised in Bridgeport. And, I’m proud to say that our city is safer and stronger today than any other time that I can remember,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “It’s resulting in Bridgeport being a place where more people want to live and work, where more companies want to invest and hire people, and where our strong communities are helping to make for an even stronger economy.”
Come up with another quote that is not laughable.
Even the FBI admits crime statistics only reflect reported crimes.
Where are the barf bags when you need them??? Brett, give us a break. You are relentlessly tedious and by the way, repetitiously redundant (that’s a joke, Brett). You folks ought to check out Andrew Martinez’ work on these matters. You are swell, but oh well, this is so not about you.
Funny. I’ve been told this recruitment effort is nothing more than an overtime scam that keeps a particular someone from creating waves. Low crime is a national trend that is not exclusive to Finch and his merry band of bandits.
Brian Williams is parachuting in to work with the PD and Mayor on the minority recruitment/”Safer Every Day” campaign.
Municipalities nationwide have problems maintaining racially diverse forces. Bridgeport is an example to the contrary, with 43 percent of police being minority. That’s progress, my ass. In a city that’s over 70% black and Latino the BPD boasts 43% minority participation, that’s nothing to be proud of. Maybe in Meriden that’s progress, but here that ain’t nothing.
Safer and stronger are wonderful claims made the Mayor and the taxpayer-funded mouthpieces. I notice the “safer” comments use statistics to prove the point in relative or absolute terms.
However where are the statistics or any type of numbers that show we are STRONGER? Economically stronger with jobs for those who need them? Financially stronger with demand for land and building values showing our City valuations returning to pre-Wall St meltdown ranges? Why are we abating taxes for future taxpayers if things are going so well? Show us the numbers, please. Unreasonable? Isn’t it the only way to be ‘accountable?’ And before Brett B, the Mayor told the Charter Commission, “accountability” was his byword and strong suit, or a similar statement, but accountability was to be expected of him. Time will tell.