Bridgeport Vows to Crack Down on Crime After Violent Weekend

After a crime-riddled weekend, Bridgeport officials and community leaders got together Tuesday to talk about ways to stop the violence.

Mayor Bill Finch and Bridgeport Police Chief Joseph Gaudett held a news conference Tuesday morning along with community leaders from the Center for Family Justice, Connecticut Against Gun Violence, Project Longevity and FSW to discuss city initiatives to crack down on crime.

It comes after a bloody holiday weekend during which six people were shot, two fatally.

“We suffered a setback,” Finch said at the news conference. “We just never know with gun violence when it’s going to rear its ugly head.”

Gaudett said he’s troubled by the weekend crime.

“It’s absolutely concerning. It’s the stuff you lose sleep over,” he explained.

Teresa Davison, whose nephew Abraham Davison was one of those fatalities, echoed city leaders’ concerns.

“The violence here in Bridgeport has to stop,” she said.

Abraham Davison was shot and killed at William Street and Barnum Avenue just after 2 a.m. Sunday. Three others were shot at Indian Avenue and Pitt Street, and hours later, a woman was killed in a domestic shooting on Pearl Street. Her boyfriend is now in custody.

City leaders vowed to make a change.

“We’ll do whatever we can to make sure people are safe,” Gaudett promised. “The thing to do is to try and keep these kids busy.”

Gaudett said he wants to redouble efforts to keep kids off the streets and focused on achieving their goals. He encouraged city residents to speak up if they see anything suspicious.

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