An editorial published in the Connecticut Post weighs in on the controversial police indoor shooting range next to Cesar Batalla School in the West End. What say you about this? Is the issue about the bulletproof and soundproof gun range much ado about nothing? Or are parent concerns legit? Post editorial:
Students in Bridgeport, in this case at Cesar Batalla Elementary School on State Street, are educated under neighborhood conditions that would be unthinkable in neighboring towns. A shooting range across the street from an elementary school? See how far that idea gets in the suburbs.
To some extent, it’s unavoidable. It’s a small city, and there aren’t places to put schools that are out of range of every undesirable neighborhood usage. But that’s only part of the problem.
Full editorial here.
I have one question … which politician or “friend of Bill” stands to gain from the proposed shooting range? Hard to believe this is just “good” for anyone. Why not utilize the airport property?
The airport would be a perfect location. Plenty of empty space out there. Bill should go talk with Momma June about it.
*** Typical “shove it down their throats” neighborhood proposal, to try to utilize an underused building for more than West Side or West End P/D roll calls and other type meetings, as well as a P/D gas stop and parking lot. Turn it into a TNT, SWAT, Special Ops, etc. plus shooting range building on a privately owned leased lot, in a high people and traffic area with an elementary school, bakery, bus stop, storefront church, business and family homes all next door or nearby! *** JUST MAKING DO WITH WHAT THE CITY HAS, NO? *** “HELL, NO!” ***
The pictures on the CT Post website were very revealing. Those people were pissed and Finch looked completely embarrassed. I am pleased Town Clerk Alma Maya had the courage to speak up. And Sandi Ayala hugging Judge Lopez? Priceless.
Some advice for the mayor:
1. You’d better get yourself a good PR person. Not someone who writes press releases but someone who can do damage control and tell you what and what not to say. Because you continually lie and stick your foot in your mouth and those jerks Adam and Andy are steering you wrong. You can’t keep bullying people and forcing things down people’s throats. The people are wise to you. You need some professional guidance. Someone like Olivia Pope for example.
2. You’d better start mending fences and you’d better start now. You have alienated a good % of the party. Voters are turning against you in droves. Wise up, mayor. Get out that peace pipe. You know you have one.
To pacify the neighborhood, Finch will probably rent Sal DiNardo’s property on Railroad Avenue for a few $100K a year. The good, the bad and the ugly truth.
You are all correct about going to the airport, but wouldn’t it be nice to have a continued police presence near a school with a shooting range for police ONLY? That’s what this shooting range is. It isn’t for the public at all. Those using the range will be armed and are professional protection for the children, teachers, neighbors, and screechers like those who oppose protection.
Hey Lennie, you know you’re my hero. Can you possibly explain to me (US) how Bob is posted 3 HOURS after I am yet I am still awaiting moderation? As a journalistic professional I had expected you to enjoy controversy instead of being afraid of it.
Does the Machine possess a piece of Kryptonite you’re afraid of?
Sorry Ronin, although I’d love to monitor OIB 24 hours a day, I do try to catch a few hours sleep after midnight.
The public outrage is the culmination of 25 years of bad city planning in this neighborhood. There used to be bustling industry, a commercial strip, vibrant neighborhoods and community centers and affordable housing here. It was all demolished by the City. What a waste of government spending! What these hundreds of millions could have been used for but for a lack of neighborhood involvement and a lack of vision on the part of city administrations, many of whom continue to make decisions. The historic, beautiful architecture of the Bryant Building, St. Anthony’s Church and School, a vibrant community garden. Now we have a huge school building and test scores continue to drop, the building is too big, the AKDO showroom and warehouse, a very ugly power plant that employs about two people, acres of overgrown vacant lots … the list goes on and on. A lot of businesses and residents were displaced, and for what?
There are a lot of people who are fed up with politics in general in Bridgeport and with Finch in particular. That appears to be a lot of what that meeting at the school was all about.
I’m willing to listen to rational reasons why increased police presence in the neighborhood is harmful.
The neighborhood was used as an open-air shooting gallery by thugs for years. What is the harm–remember, reasoned answers–of having an enclosed police practice range in the area? More cops visiting the area, even if on a duty assignment to practice their skills, would appear beneficial.
The old factories closed. Apartment housing deteriorated. Many small houses deteriorated. The city did not close the church. City officials and others worked hard to save Bryant Electric, which was determined to move. I know there are good blocks in there, some of them between Railroad Avenue and State Street. How does the addition of the police facility hurt them?
This is the first I’ve heard criticism of construction of a new school in a Bridgeport neighborhood. That criticism sounds loony on the face of it.
What should the city have done better to explain this project to the neighborhood before making an announcement? All examples citing the Railroad Avenue idiocy are valid. Is there some middle view that allows the city and police department to explain itself better? Is this project just a dumb idea? Why?
*** This part-time precinct’s been on the West Side for some time now and other than shift changes or gassing up patrol cards assigned to the West Side/West End sector or at lunch time, I don’t see any big obvious increased police presence! Now years back the neighborhood was riddled with drug use and sales, and the crime that follows it, etc. A few small bodegas and skeleton offices with a few personnel left behind to prepare the books of the empty industrial factory buildings before turning them over to the banks, city or whomever! Businesses of all kinds like Bryant Electric, VCA, Casco, Harvey Hubble, Roscoe’s Bar, Palms Bar&Grill, Peter’s Cafe, West End Bowling, Sam’s smoke & newspaper shop, Modern Plastics, Serlins wine & spirits, Greenwall’s Clothing, Garcia’s Clothes Shop, State Hardware Store, Bayamon Social Club, Club Bustello, Hato Rey Record Shop, etc. A leased property that’s been really underused by the P/D for the longest and now that the city is trying to bunch together as many city offices and depts around town, many of their decisions are quick and not well though out! So what if the neighborhood decides an indoor shooting range is not a good safe fit for this area, does it still have to be forced on the citizens and business owners of this district? How do the local city government pols feel about this or are they just rubber stamping it ’cause it’s the P/D? Would this fly in Black Rock or the North End by one of their school areas, I wonder? *** ARE THESE WHEELS SQUEAKY ENOUGH? INQUIRING MINDS WOULD LIKE TO KNOW. ***
My recollection, the Bryant Building had a proposal through Mutual Housing for housing after Bryant pulled out but it was torn down instead. The City tore down St. Anthony’s Church and School, the new school is too big and poorly designed and benefited mostly out-of-town contractors. The housing that was taken and torn down was in good shape. All the community institutions Mojo mentioned were driven out by eminent domain, or demolition by neglect and they did make up a viable community. Why are all these assets now gone?