Statement from mayoral candidate Mary-Jane Foster:
“We, as a community, must take our streets back. The events of last night at Trumbull Gardens are tragic for the victims, their families and everyone in this city. This is an administration, this is a mayor, who has been asleep at the switch. We have significant issues of crime that impact our neighborhoods and leave families devastated.
This mayor has sat back while police staffing levels have plummeted to their lowest level in decades. The notion that we cannot hire police officers at a faster pace and expedite police patrols is a falsehood perpetuated by a mayor who continues to hide behind crime statistics while our residents live in fear.Our children, our youth, need support every day, not just in times of crisis. We need after school programs, recreational facilities with more activities and our young need jobs. As a community we must come together and support those most impacted by these needs.
At least, we must initiate a short-term plan while implementing solutions:
– Immediately install a small neighborhood police station in the Gardens or Reservoir Avenue. It is time to reinstitute community policing.
– Urge Commissioner of Public Protection Dora Schriro and Governor Dan Malloy to supplement our police force with state police patrols in our neighborhoods. We are and will continue to be seriously understaffed and under protected.
– Expedite police hiring with a premium placed on qualified recruits who understand the city. Use meaningful hiring preferences for Bridgeport residents who are already knowledgeable and invested in their city.
– Beef up support groups for victims. Y.A.N.A. (You Are Not Alone) is a strong example of the power we have when we come together in support.
– Convene an on-going series of meetings of elected officials, neighborhood leaders, clergy and local, state and federal law enforcement officials on an action plan for neighborhood safety.
– Urge U.S. Attorney Deirdre Daly and Connecticut FBI chief Patricia Ferrick to bring their law enforcement expertise to the table. It is time to prepare a thoughtful and informed plan, aided by all the help we can get, to address the issues of violence in our city.
We must, as a city come together and solve these problems–together. We owe that to those who have been victims of crime here and to their families.”
Excellent!!!
Deal with today, but more importantly start addressing the issues of tomorrow. That is what leadership is all about.
The problem of low staffing falls right in the lap of Chief Gaudett and his four deputies. Between these five the taxpayers are paying $500,000 for their salaries and they are not doing anything. These deputy chiefs have been on the job way too long, in some cases over 40 years. Here are five top commanders and none of them knew they were going to be terribly short on manpower. Did they allow this to happen so OT would be great and everyone’s pension increase because of the OT? Some people in these upper ranks should be fired for allowing the lack of manpower to come to this.
Mary-Jane Foster, now that’s very good and right on point. This tragedy needs anyone who knows something to let the police know, you don’t have to give your name but if you know something please say something but don’t put yourself in danger. This is another example why it’s so important to hire Bridgeport residents, one reason is one of these might have lived in Trumbull Gardens or in that area and they might have family or friends who still live there. Well, these people are a great resource to help with solving crimes like this instead of all these police officers who know nothing about Bridgeport. But here is a big issue, how do we expect residents to come forward and inform on someone who has committed a crime but police officers won’t do the same when they see another police officer do something or who commits a crime? Understaffed and paying a large amount for overtime to cover for the staffing shortage is poor management and leadership.
Andy, I’m not so sure the blame for the shortfall of personnel should fall just on the shoulders of the chief and his deputies. We don’t know if they went to Mayor Finch numerous times asking for money to hire and he said, don’t ask.
I’m just saying.
Don, you may be right in that the police chief went to the administration and was told it was cheaper to pay OT than hire new people. If that’s the case the chief should have stepped up and informed the public. Where were the do-nothing police commissioners during all of this?
Is it time for the TIPS program to be supported by Mayor and Police Chief? Anybody remember their past actions relative to that low cost, publicly safe way for local residents to SAY WHAT THEY SEE but in safety? Not telephone. Not twitter or email. Snailmail. An idea from voters and citizen activists around gun violence in past years, presented to the Council and for all purposes ignored by King Bill and General Gaudett (probably on orders because the idea did not originate in the MO)? Just an idea from two black men who shared it with a white man in Council chamber several years ago. One had lost his son to gun violence. Why was this ignored? Time will tell.
This tragedy happened at 1AM!!! Exactly what kind of activities would have prevented this? Midnight bowling???
There are plenty of things for kids to do like clean the house, mow the lawn if there is one and DO YOUR HOMEWORK so you can make something of yourself and not have to live under these conditions forever!!!