Riding Along in Bridgeport

July 06 2012 by Nick Fabiani

Today marked the fifth stop in Chris' "Getting to Work" Jobs Tour - this time Chris talked with the Bridgeport Police Department on ways public investment can create jobs and make our cities and towns safer.

Chris and Police Chief Joseph Gaudett talked about the success of the COPS grant program, which will allow Bridgeport to hire an additional 20 police officers this year.

“I had a great time speaking with the Bridgeport police force today,” said Murphy. “It’s important for me to hear from who is doing the hiring but it’s also important for me to hear from employees. We’ve all seen politicians taking a top-down approach, telling people what they need, but this tour is different. Listening has become a lost art in government—but it's what I've always done and how I've developed some of my most important legislation."

After, Chris got the chance to do a ride along with Captain AJ Perez and Sergeant Robert Bigelow as they went on patrol. He got a chance to learn first hand the challenges facing officers in Connecticut's biggest City, and how support from the federal and state government can ensure they have the resources they need.