Legislation authored by State Rep. Auden Grogins gives prosecutors the power to shut down a business or evict a tenant that has been arrested or cited three or more times for illegal activity on the premises for crimes such as drug dealing, firearm offenses or excessive noise on commercial properties. The bill approved Saturday night by the State Senate expands law enforcement efforts to stop criminal activity in neighborhoods. The bill was co-sponsored by State Senator Andres Ayala. State House approval came in May. The bill is expected to be signed into law by Governor Dan Malloy.
The nuisance abatement bill is a follow-up to Grogins’ legislation last year to regulate massage parlors and adult entertainment establishments. The new laws provide law enforcement additional tools to shut down illegal operations that neighborhood residents say hurts quality of life and lowers property values. Dozens of neighborhood residents signed petitions urging legislative support including members of the community group One Bridgeport that Grogins thanked in a Facebook post:
“A big thank you to all the ladies from One Bridgeport: Steph, Joy, Jen, MJ, for their efforts to help me pass the state laws that crack down on these illegal businesses and have and will continue to clean up our neighborhoods!”
“Cleaning up our neighborhoods and improving the quality of life for Bridgeport residents is crucial to our community,” says Grogins, the blonde banshee from Black Rock, in a statement. “This bill is a significant step forward to bringing positive economic development into Bridgeport. I am grateful to my colleagues for their support of this important legislation.”
The state legislature is in the final days of its session. The State House approved a new two-year budget early Sunday morning (today) that included a new revenue source, Keno, an electronic gambling game played in bars and restaurants. The Senate is expected to vote on the budget Monday. The Connecticut Mirror shares details about the budget and what it means here.
Congratulations Auden and Andres. Now it’s time to pass HB 5724. That legislation is of even greater importance to Bridgeport’s future.
HB 5724 is dead, no way no how. It will never pass into law.
Yeah, yeah, yeah; but the real question is: How did that lap dance work out for ya, Jim?
*** Let’s have more “team efforts” that will benefit the entire city and its citizens, no? *** LET THE VOTERS KNOW WHAT YOU’RE DOING FOR THE CITY! ***