2 Detectives Suspended + Blumenthal Has Another Challenger

Good Monday morning Connecticut,

After a weekend nor'easter, the weather pattern looks tranquil through Thursday morning. Another cold day Monday with temperatures failing to reach 30 degrees, a bit warmer on Tuesday, and on Wednesday we even exceed 40 degrees.

On Thursday, rain moves in, in the afternoon, and it may change to snow and ice on Friday. And back to sub-freezing temperatures next weekend.

2 detectives suspended

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim released a statement saying he has instructed police officials to place two detectives on administrative leave for their handling of the investigation into the deaths of Lauren Smith-Fields and Brenda Lee Rawls, according to media reports, including WTNH News 8.

Ganim, via WTN News 8, called the department's handling of the investigation "unacceptable" thus far.

"I want you to know that I am extremely disappointed with the leadership of the Bridgeport Police Department and find actions taken up to this point unacceptable," Ganim said in a statement, according to News 12 CT.

He said the two detectives are being investigated by the police department's internal affairs unit "for lack of sensitivity to the public and failure to follow police policy in the handling of these two matters," according to News 12 CT.

Smith-Fields died due to "lethal drugs" in her system, including fentanyl, News 8 and Hearst CT reported. A criminal investigation has now been launched in the Smith-Fields case.

Smith-Fields' family blasted the police investigation, saying they weren't informed of her death and that some physical evidence from the scene wasn't collected, according to Hearst CT and News 8.

Smith-Fields, 23, died on December 12, 2021, and on that same day Rawls, 53, also died in a separate case. Both women are Black and both families have been critical of the department's handling of both cases. The cause of death for Rawls is still pending, CNN reported.

Dorothy Washington, Rawls' sister, told CNN that family members initially learned of her death after an autopsy had already been performed on Rawls, CNN reported.

"It's almost like they're not aware of her death, or they just don't care and that made us angry," Washington told CNN. "She was raised and born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, paid her taxes, voted and they treated like she was nothing. Like she was roadkill."

Last week, hundreds of people marched to the police department demanding answers concerning both investigations, Hearst CT reported.

(Read More at News 12 CT), (Read More at News 8), (Read More at Hearst CT), and (Read More at CNN).

From CT State Police, an update concerning accidents during the nor'easter

On Saturday, Jan. 29, Connecticut State Police responded to approximately 1,212 calls for service.

• 90 of these calls for service were for motor vehicle accidents.
• 84 are classified as “no injury”.
• 6 are reported “with injury”.
• Zero accidents were reported with serious or fatal injuries.
• 208 calls were for “traffic services”, such as disabled or abandoned vehicles, or debris in the roadway (e.g. downed trees, powerlines).

Klarides plans to challenge Blumenthal

Former State Rep. Themis Klarides, a Republican, announced on Sunday that instead of running for governor she is now planning to challenge U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., for his senate seat.

"I'm running for the U.S. Senate because Washington DC is broken. Richard Blumenthal is the poster boy for the dysfunction. Stay tuned," Klarides announced on social media.

COVID-19 self-tests update

Governor Ned Lamont announced that Connecticut this week distributed another 900,000 COVID-19 self-tests to partner organizations, bringing the total amount it has delivered so far this month to 4.5 million.

Lamont said. “If anyone has been unable to get their hands on a self-test, I strongly encourage them to place an order through President Biden’s distribution program by visiting covidtests.gov or calling 800-232-0233 and they will be mailed to your house for free."

Some of the deliveries Connecticut state government made for the week of January 24, 2022, included:

• Nearly 450,000 self-tests to municipalities for social services and vulnerable populations; K-12 students, teachers, and staff; first responders; and other front-facing municipal employees and non-licensed childcare programs;
• 300,000 self-tests to community groups, vulnerable populations, and faith-based organizations;
• 60,000 self-tests to UConn (Combined with earlier deliveries to Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, every public college and university in Connecticut now has at least one self-test available for every residential student to facilitate the safe return to campus); and
• 60,000 self-tests to state employees and private nonprofit providers.