On Monday, March 12, Bridgeport Police Chief John Walker curtailed rumors - which were based on a social media post - that there had been incidents in Bridgeport and Clarksburg of human trafficking, involving young children. But the following day, a post appeared on Facebook regarding an incident that, after investigation by Bridgeport Police, had some validity, yet posed no threat or potential harm. 

 

“This posting mentioned two males who were taking pictures of shoppers (at Meadowbrook Mall) and followed them into the parking lot,” Walker said in a press release provided to media outlets this afternoon. “The individuals witnessing this event were fearful these individuals were a threat to them and wanted to warn the community of what happened.”

 

Bridgeport Police Department initiated an investigation and by working with mall management and security force officers identified the men taking the photographs/video. 

 

“Through our investigation, it was learned that these two men were employees of a contractor at the mall and had no criminal intent,” Walker said.

 

The pictures and video captured were not of individuals, but rather of the snow outside the mall. The employees of the contractor are from outside the U.S. and they were sending the images back home to their families, Walker said. 

 

Because the Facebook post was public and caused concern among mall shoppers and community members, Bridgeport Police released outcome of the investigation.

 

 “We give special thanks to the staff of the Meadowbrook Mall,” Walker said. “With their assistance, the outcome of our investigation was expedited.”

 

As for the social media posting earlier in the week, Walker said a young lady had posted on Facebook that she had been in contact with Bridgeport and Clarksburg police, as well as the FBI, and had become aware there was human trafficking going on locally and that local children, as well as adults, were in danger; that children were being photographed at busy places like the mall and movie theater.

 

“(Bridgeport Police) took quick action, of course, to dispel the rumor,” Walker said. “We traced back to the lady who had posted it, finding out she had posted it second-hand. We can’t be conclusive, but we believe it came from another state.”

 

Walker said his department contacted and spoke with the FBI who had no knowledge or information of human trafficking incidents.

 

The bottom line, Walker said, is if you see or experience anything suspicious, report it to police without delay.

 

“We will take immediate action to identify those involved,” Walker said.