From John Marshall Lee:
Local residents see what is happening in neighborhoods. They hear what the latest stories are. They have concerns for personal safety, for other quality of life issues but they want to be helpful. However, the “no-snitch” culture including retribution for talking to enforcement authorities is strong. The ability for phone calls and internet texts to be traced is a primary safety concern of residents.
Several Bridgeport residents have developed a ‘no-tech’ or very ‘low-tech’ solution to deal with those who are afraid of becoming known. Protect identities while providing info. What if you were able to share important information with the police, basic to a specific event or more generally about one or more individuals whose behavior threatens peace and safety in a neighborhood?
Well now you can. Bridgeport residents, Clyde, Amos, Crystal and others have suggested a TIPS envelope. A limited number of these are available without charge at various Bridgeport Housing Authority locations, Bridgeport Library neighborhood desks and certain large food store courtesy counters. You can write out as much of your threats to “public safety” information regarding WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, HOW MANY and WHY on your own piece of paper. YOUR NAME IS NOT REQUIRED. ANONYMOUS INFO IS OK. Seal the envelope and put it in a mail box. First class return postage will be paid and the envelope goes directly to the TIPS coordinator at the Bridgeport Police Dept.
This is an experiment to see whether the community will cooperate with Police if personal safety through anonymity is preserved and protected. TIPS can strengthen our community. Contributing TIPS is a positive step to make your community safer by getting predators with guns out of our neighborhoods. Ask for an envelope. Use it. Work for PUBLIC SAFETY. Don’t just talk about it. If you see or hear something, now you can do something!!! And you can be proud!!!
SPECIFICS: Initial 1,000 envelopes distributed to: BHA for 40 @ 7 locations; Public library 50 @ 5 locations; Bridgeport Police @ 100; Major food stores-courtesy desks … Stop and Shop, Compare, Price Right, etc. 370. Additional envelopes can be printed for additional distribution if this experiment proves successful. Initial funds for design, printing and USPS expenses have been supplied from a private source. Publicity and promotion is expected to be provided by Channel 12, 8, 3, etc. TV and radio, local papers and word of mouth. This is an idea from people who live in the community, who wish to see public safety regained, and who know enforcement authorities need the eyes and ears of the community to work with them to solve the instances of local violence.
For More Information: John Marshall Lee, daytime phone: 203-259-9642
*** As JML would say, “TIME WILL TELL.” ***