See associated story here
Statement from State Herron Gaston:
Recent complaints that Hartford has failed to adequately fund Bridgeport overlook an uncomfortable fact: Bridgeport itself chose to shut down the city’s drone program. This is not an entirely new phenomenon.
The City’s staffing study highlighted these recommendations years ago. The Chief of Police who was rigorously vetted by the public and City Council was appointed because people believe in his ability to make sound decisions on their behalf as far as public safety is concerned. He is the subject matter expert and his voice should be respected— similarly to our fire chief. It is difficult to argue for more state investment while simultaneously abandoning innovative initiatives that demonstrate forward thinking and accountability.
State funding decisions are not made in a vacuum. They are influenced by whether municipalities show a commitment to long-term planning, workforce development, and responsible implementation of new technologies. By bringing the drone program to a screeching halt, Bridgeport undercut its own case for support and signaled a reluctance to follow through on promising ideas.
If city leaders want Hartford to take Bridgeport seriously as a partner worthy of strong investment, the city must first show that it is willing to support and sustain programs that drive progress. Let me be clear: The amount of funding our state delegation is collectively advocating for Bridgeport in all critical areas, is unprecedented— and that fact should be recognized. Constructive self-reflection, not finger-pointing, is the necessary first step toward restoring credibility and securing future funding around public safety.
ONLY IN BRIDGEPORT-January 14, 2026
A bridge between CT and NY? How many folks who reside in Bridgeport are aware about such long-term measures and despair that anyone routinely consults them with adequate advance notice, a simple rendition of the opportunity or concern, and specific benefits or cost to them?
Drones in Bridgeport are already here. With a nearly unanimous reaction to the process and protocol of a small room hosting two City Council committees causing ‘standing room only’ with no opportunity for the public thus assembled to utter a word about the subject: drones sought to improve public safety, funded likely entirely (as I did read the over 60 page agreement) by a State Grant of $500,000 for this specific Flock item @ $250,000 per year, with technology shared by the Police Department, Fire Department (and likely Emergency Services, as well) on land based and perhaps water based issues.
Where is space for an interested public to understand these issues, that include benefits, costs, and where the money is provided or lacking? Who plays that role, from the current Mayor’s project office staffers, who keeps track of such ideas, and keeps info fresh on the City website? Is it up to Lennie Grimaldi, a businessman extraordinaire, practicing journalism or elected and appointed City employees to do so officially?
With this Only in Bridgeport note, I am “Asking the Council” where the plan is, with a developed process for residents, and OPEN, ACCOUNTABLE, TRANSPARENT and HONEST values practiced? Are these values important to readers of OIB? Where are they in operation? Time will tell.
“…with no opportunity for the public thus assembled to utter a word about the subject:”
Ahhh, they didn’t let you speak. If my ears didn’t deceive me, I heard Senator Gaston say he aquired $550,000 for the drone project. I’m going back to listen to the press conference, I hope the Chief doesn’t have anything to do with this. I also heard Aidee Nieves state that she went to Gaston and said, I want you to find $500,000 for this project. That sounds like a very powerful person. Lennie practicing journalism? Lennie doesn’t need any practice. He should practice limiting your looooooong posts. You read a 60 page document on the drone and here you are asking for transparency; the right to speak in committee meetings; Lennie Grimaldi to refrain from reporting on City happenings. You need to give it a break and take long walks in St. Mary’s with Senator Gaston on this one.
My ears did deceive me, Gaston did not say $550,000–he said, “…secured $575,000.”
They haven’t gotten past the Contracts Committee and already $75,000 is unaccounted for.
Anyone who listens (about 20 times) carefully to the press conference held last week.
Shall conclude that no other Drone distributor was ever considered, starting two (2) years ago since Porter met Flock at a convention in San Diego; the Flock calls Mayor Joe Ganim ; then Porter & Mayor went to Chicago and again Flock was there. Joe Ganim calls Porter and says, “We really gotta get this, we gotta get this.”
The Fire Chief said, Police Chief Porter had called him about the technology, “Three (3) weeks ago,” to see if we could use it.”
Gaston explains how Aidee pushed him to get funding for Flock and describes Flock as a Pet project she had. Three high level city officials on the same level, in favor of one company out of a Flock of thousands of companies, offering the same and even better product and service.
I have never seen so many people Freudian Slipping simultaneously on the same stage.