From city Communications Director Av Harris:
Bridgeport Police today released a new crime information tip line for members of the public to anonymously report information about crime in the city. The new tip line is 203-576-TIPS (8477) and will be usable 24 hours a day and calls will be electronically recorded, then provided to the relevant police division in the form of a digital file which can then be used as evidence in court if needed.
“We have seen very good results so far this year in policing efforts to reduce violent crime, now we are seeking even greater assistance from the public to continue the trend,” said Mayor Joe Ganim. “I am encouraging every member of the public who knows about criminal activity or sees something suspicious to give us a call at 203-576-TIPS. The residents of Bridgeport are the essential partners with our police officers in helping to prevent crimes from taking place or bring those responsible for crimes to justice. We will make sure any information that is provided is safely kept and each tip anonymous.”
Bridgeport Police Chief AJ Perez said, “All of our divisions–Vice, Narcotics, Detective Bureau, Traffic, Patrol and others have been working very hard to target hot spots and investigate criminal activity, bringing perpetrators to justice. But we rely heavily on the people of Bridgeport as the eyes and ears of the police force. We cannot do our jobs without the great cooperation we get from the public. So if you see or hear something, say something! Call us 24 hours a day at 203-576-TIPS and report whatever you know. These tips can be reported anonymously without anyone’s safety being compromised and many times they do lead to an arrest and a conviction. We look forward to hearing from you.”
The tips line will appear on the back of every Bridgeport Police cruiser, and in addition the Department will be frequently sharing the tips line number over social media in the coming months. Billboards displaying the number and request for information will soon be appearing over I-95 and Route 8 in the Bridgeport area for motorists to see as well.
I just called and reported Downtown Bridgeport is not safe. Couldn’t leave any specifics but I am sure AJ and Joe will be all over this in a New York minute.
That was laugh out loud funny. Downtown Bridgeport is not safe? Say it isn’t so. 😉
This must have been a brainstorm that came out of their UBsmart retreat.
AJ said “Retreat hell, it’s full speed ahead.”
What do you think is happening with this?
www .bridgeportct.gov/content/89017/default.aspx
I’m not a bright person. From a street crime perspective drug activities are the only crime I can think of needing to call this number. Unless there’s a crime being committed at the time then you use 911. Is this number for blue-collar crimes? If so it seems ODD considering Chief Perez was the mayor’s driver during the mayor’s criminal activities before he was sent to prison. If you call, don’t be the Subway dude exercising your second amendment rights. When you see a car illegally parked. We know how that ended up. Isn’t there a non-emergency number? If not there should be one like 811, something simple so people like me can remember. Is that retard law or should I say lack of law where if you’re carrying a gun you don’t have to show a cop they’re legally able to possess it, observed? Here’s a crime tip, if the paper report is correct and the subway dude was arrested for leaving his guns on the steps so he can enter the court house, you might have a false report crime you might want to look into. Thou shall not bear false witness. Walk the very thin blue line carefully especially when the person is completely innocent. People shouldn’t be going to jail for something they did’t do. Imagine the lies of the Devil did and didn’t tell you. It’s not that complicated, the cops want to make a bust and the Devil wants souls. Name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit.
www .ctpost.com/local/article/Loaded-guns-found-on-courthouse-steps-8334231.php
PS. You’re going to advertise this voice mail service on billboards and the police car making them look like NASCARs. If you’re advertising on a car call the BIJOU they could use it to help.
To be fair having a centralized number to call makes management efficient and accountability sense. I think the cards are all that is needed. A billboard is a waste of money and the stickers are stupid and make the BOSS patrol cars look cheap. PS Mayor yes videos is a major component to helping solving crimes. If you truly want to bridge the gap between police and the communities, finish what Finch and Chief Gaudett started.
www .ctpost.com/local/article/Bridgeport-police-chief-wants-body-cams-for-6238447.php
BConnected allows citizens and city employees to automatically and immediately contact a responsible department with a service request.
Maybe they finally realized they didn’t have any responsible departments/department heads.
I think this might be more than a tip line. I think it centralizes calls that people make to someone in the police department. Either this is more internal management OR it’s just PR like See Something Say Something kinda thing. I bet on the latter since the cards will be handed out when a crime has been committed and instead of each cop giving their own card they will give this general card and number and let the system take over from there. Based on the extent it is used though, Time will Tell.
*** It sounds good politically, let’s see if the public uses it for serious types of crimes and if the Police Dept. responds within time and reason on their investigations. It may make a big difference in areas that have high rates of crime in general. *** TWT ***