The Bridgeport Police Department is like most agencies right now. They have been impacted in multiple ways because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

One of those ways, at least through the early months of the pandemic, has been a bit of a positive, according to Bridgeport Chief John Walker.

 

“Nationally, and that includes our department, we’ve seen our case loads drop significantly,” said Walker. “As restrictions have been lifted, particularly in the last few weeks, they’re on the rise. I can’t say for certain if it’s due to the restrictions being eased, but they have coincided with one another.”

 

Walker said he was surprised that a drop took place in criminal activity.

 

“It’s a little bit surprising to me, and to some others,” said Walker. “The reason is criminals don’t care if they get sick in most cases and typically aren’t thinking about getting others sick.”

 

While criminal activity may be down, the Bridgeport Police Department has not modified schedules, worked from home, or taken days off. Staff, he said, continues to work their standard shifts.

 

That does not mean things have not changed. Walker said the biggest thing is providing safeguards to try and keep officers safe as well as the public when going out on calls.

 

“Basically, keeping our officers healthy is a concern,” said Walker. “We’ve instituted new policies and precautions with that being the sole focus. Thank God the precautions have been good for us”

 

Although Walker would love to see things go back to normal, he said the pandemic has exposed something he knew all along. And that is that the community has long supported law enforcement in Bridgeport and beyond.

 

“We have been very blessed during the pandemic with so many displays of supports,” said Walker. “We’ve had multiple donations of food and dinner throughout this and so many other wonderful gestures.

 

“We’ve got a community that’s been supporting us prior to this and really stepping up now,” he continued. “We really appreciate it, and we want to get the word out to the community to let them know how much we appreciate what they're doing by telling them thank you. It makes this situation easier to face.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Chief John Walker during a recent community activity, while Officer Jody Cunningham is shown with mask and glovers staff are often using while interacting with the public.