Protest Planned In Response To Cop Who Fired Weapon In Bagel Shop

Community activists have planned a rally for Monday at 5:30 p.m. in front of police headquarters to protest a police officer who fired a gun in a crowded city eatery. Some community voices claim there’s a double standard: a civilian in the same situation would have been pinched. More from Mike Mayko, CT Post:

The city’s response angered activists such as ex-state NAACP President James Griffin and current NAACP President Scott X. Esdaile; Lyle Hassan Jones, who has organized anti-violence marches for Save Our Babies; and area civil rights lawyers Burton Weinstein and John R. Williams.

All questioned whether Bridgeport police should investigate one of its own. Esdaile demanded a state police investigation, which came to fruition on Friday.

“We are rallying to demand equal application under the law and calling for Officer Santiago to be formally charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm and reckless endangerment for his incident on (Dec.) 17th,” said Keyser, who unsuccessfully ran for state representative in the 126th District in 2010 and for City Council in the 136th District in November.

Full story here.

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15 comments

  1. Gaudett and Finch had planned on sweeping this matter under the proverbial rug.
    But where was Citizens Working For A Better Bridgeport in this entire fiasco? I don’t see where they have said anything or done anything. Don’t want to get involved in trivial matters like Bpt Police Officers firing guns in restaurants? Might be interpreted as being pro gun control? Or is it simply if it ain’t about the money it don’t interest us, honey?

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    1. Bob Walsh, Citizens Working For A Better Bridgeport is strictly a Black Rock issue group and how to find a job for their hero Dave Walker. They are a one-trick pony just like Walker that has NO blacks in their group, now that might find one. Where was Citizens Working For A Better Bridgeport when Longfellow school was shut down and wire fence and road blocks were put all around it? They don’t care because the kids who attend that school are black and Hispanics.

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      1. Walsh and Mackey: Just because no one is filling you in on activities, does not mean there are none. What it does mean is the folks involved with this PAC, yes, it’s a PAC, do not want to solicit an onslaught of negativity and endless destructive diatribes.

        BTW–Where is the Working Families Party on this? Have not heard a peep since the election. Last word on the street was instead of being happy with their success, they were miffed because they did not sweep the BOE. Imagine that.

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      2. *** Good point guys but then again where’s any political party or equal justice-seeking workers organizations, etc. on this one? Is the investigation over and a final decision made yet on this incident? I can remember years past, an ex-Giant’s football player with a permit getting a fine, loss of permit and two years in jail/probation for an accidental discharge of a firearm in a NYC night club! Time seems to heal most wounds and the Finch Admin. and the powers that be will probably take their time on this one, no doubt. *** AS JML would say, “time will tell!” ***

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  2. The picture of Pete Minaya and Chief Gaudett in the Connecticut Post looks as though they are at a party. I know it was serious to them but putting a copy on cars at the North End diner was cruel. Seems this has been a hot topic in the North End since the incident. I wonder what Mario said to Pete. As for Finch’s chief of police, this picture makes the Bridgeport police dept. look like a joke. They are not!

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  3. Tell me this is a joke, Lennie. I wasn’t sure on where to start on this one. Let’s start a day before that Tuesday at Bagel King. At around 2 a.m. Monday morning, a 21-year-old young man was shot and killed on Poplar Street. Ironically, this is the same street Lyle Hassan Jones and other members of the community had a rally and marched up on their way to the State Street substation when the 10-year-old was shot last year. So far this year there has been 13 killings and most involve young black men–many of whom have been shot but not die. This year, the police department has been very successful at solving old cases, getting convictions and making more arrests in shooting and gun cases. That saves the lives of young black men and protects the general public from harm. Where is the thank you from the NAACP? Where have they been while young black men have been hunting each other? Where was the NAACP when I called the New Haven office to seek help to address the conditions of the hallways and buildings of the Charles F. Greene Homes? Will they ever take action now that the person in charge there is black as is a good number of the maintenance staff of the BHA?

    The first person who wanted the investigation of the Bagel King incident handled by the State Police was Juan Santiago. You think Hispanics have it better than blacks? I’m absolutely positive if it were me or Lyle Hassan Jones whose gun accidentally fired in the middle of a Burger King, we would be arrested. But the arrest would be justified as we both have felonies and have no business possessing a gun. Juan Santiago didn’t wake up that morning with the intent to go out and harm anyone let alone himself. The CT Post started getting the wrong information from the get-go and originally reported it was Juan Gonzalez who got shot. ‘Til this day, I keep reading and hearing conflicting reports. As I understand it, the doctor who was the gun owner had not arrived yet as he was running late and there was another clip with bullets on the table. It happened so fast, Juan and all on or near the table didn’t see it coming.

    Weeks ago, sergeants on the Police Department took the Lieutenant’s exam. Did you know a Puerto Rican had the top score? Why isn’t this news to the CT Post? I guess we have to wait for Keila Torres to come back. A big congratulations to Manny Cotto Jr. on his top score and a special thanks to all the men and women of the Bridgeport Police Department for the job they’ve done.

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    1. Nice job, Joel. Sounds like a bit of retaliation on the part of Mayor Finch for Santiago calling out the department on some ethical issues. Rumor has it he had meetings with Finch and his merry band of bandits about the treatment of minorities in the PD when it came to discipline and the ethnic slurs in classes that didn’t sit well with the Mayor. He promised an investigation and once again hired an outside law firm with political ties to his office at taxpayer expense. Another taxpayer-funded payday! Hearing that this firm has screwed the case up. Why is no one in front of Finch’s office protesting his paying of an outside firm big bucks as another payoff for political contributors? Thankfully, Santiago hurt himself and no one else. I hear he is a nice guy who made a mistake and the PD should discipline him and that’s that. The protestors should try harder at getting a life!

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      1. The Phantom, I’m in agreement with you except when you said, “The protestors should try harder at getting a life!” They do have some serious concerns that must be addressed.

        You make a great point by stating, “once again hired an outside law firm with political ties to his office at taxpayer expense. Another taxpayer-funded payday!” This is the game political parties do when they are in power, this time it’s the Democrats, and the problem is how do you stop it and who do you complain to?

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        1. Ask the Mayor’s and/or the City Attorney’s office why the case was sent outside and what the costs are to date. Ask what law firm is handling. You can get this under the freedom of information act. My union friend tells me the city attorney should be handling this. Political pressure is at the heart of this sham. I was told Finch is not happy with Santiago’s take on the state of the PD and wants him to pay. I think it gets worse when Finch tries a power play like this. Expect counterclaims of harassment as a whistleblower. Just my take.

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  4. Off topic: two movies out that were excellent across the board.

    Philomena

    American Hustle.

    Both pictures and actors most likely will dominate all of the awards shows.

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      1. Send me the link, Chosen 1 … only my brother calls me Stevie, without seeing Finch’s son’s video, I would hate to think he is “hating on the police,” as you say, his son is actually very talented and I have viewed many of his videos and told him so at Housatonic College during the arts trail. Besides, Chosen 1, the son of Bill Finch is not the Mayor. Freedom of speech is a very interesting thing and young Finch is free to say what he wants.

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  5. Where did the mayor find the funds to hire a new cabinet member from a church with tons of voters of course, while I’m being asked to give back two weeks of my pay?

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  6. *** It’s easy and nothing new, Chosen 1, the more money this admin. is able to recoup and/or save, etc. now the more it will find available down the line when needed for whatever reasons. *** “Save a Little Now and Spend a Lot Later ***

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