Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Police topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bridgeport swears in new part-time patrol officer; police chief reports recent arrests and training
Summary
Michael D'Annunzio was sworn in as a part-time patrol officer at the Jan. 28 meeting. Police Chief Red reported a burglary at Puddlers, an arrest connected to a stolen handgun, retail-theft arrests and ongoing officer training.
Michael D'Annunzio was sworn in as a part-time patrol officer during the Bridgeport Borough Council meeting on Jan. 28.
Chief Red introduced D'Annunzio (the transcript uses spellings D'Anzio/D'Annunzio/D'Annuzio) as a 24-year-old Audubon resident, a 2019 graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy High School and a 2023 graduate of Coastal Carolina University with a bachelor's degree in intelligence and national security. According to the chief, D'Annunzio completed Montgomery County Police Academy training in June 2024. Family members Wendy and Bill D'Annunzio attended the swearing-in.
Chief Red gave a public safety update to council after the oath. He reported a burglary at Puddlers during which an unknown white male in his 20s to 30s stole an empty cash drawer; investigators are reviewing doorbell and camera footage. The chief also described a separate incident near Ninth and DeKalb in which officers stopped a vehicle, a foot pursuit followed, and a man identified in the transcript as Mr. Cargill was arrested; officers recovered a stolen handgun from the car. Retail theft and disorderly-conduct arrests were reported in the Wawa and Fourth Street corridor.
The chief also briefed the council on training: two officers were in a command and leadership academy and two others were attending "POSSIT" first-line supervisory training. On traffic enforcement, Chief Red said the department has done targeted enforcement at problem locations near newer development and maintained warnings and signage at the 5th and DeKalb location; officers will continue periodic enforcement and evaluate additional signage.
On snow and sidewalks, Chief Red urged residents to clear sidewalks and fire hydrants. At the end of the meeting he revisited the timing for sidewalk clearing to correct an earlier statement: council recorded that sidewalks must have at least a 2-foot (24-inch) width cleared of snow, ice or slush within 12 hours; deep snow over 12 inches has a 48-hour clearance window (as stated on the public record during the Jan. 28 meeting).
Why it matters: The new hire increases department staffing capacity and the public update recounts recent local crimes, an arrest involving a recovered handgun, and officer training that affect community safety and enforcement priorities.
