The good news is there isn’t as serious a need for enhanced security at United Hospital Center currently. The bad news is that it’s in relationship to a little bit of troubling economic times at the massive Bridgeport medical facility as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.

 

“We’re trying to control expenses until we can begin operating normally once again,” said Geoff Marshall, vice president of support services at UHC.

 

Part of the control effort took place Monday during Bridgeport City Council’s first-ever on-line meeting. A budget revision that would provide $120,000 in funds for two city police officers to be stationed at UHC was put on hold.

 

The revision was part of an agreement between UHC and the city to provide a permanent armed presence at the Jerry Dove Drive facility. The officers would be utilized to supplement the existing security at the complex, which is unarmed.

 

“We had two choices. We could have armed our own security staff or supplement that staff with sworn police officers,” said Marshall. “The decision was made by the Board (of Directors) to go the way of sworn police officers.”

 

Everything was in place to do just that. Not only would UHC have two officers permanently stationed at their building, but they would remain under the command of Chief John Walker and Deputy Chief Mark Rogers, said Marshall. It would have provided an extra layer of security at the hospital, while reducing the number of calls made to UHC by the police department by existing staff.

 

While the plan is for that to happen, it won’t be happening as soon as both sides were hoping for. City Manager Randy Wetmore broke the news to Council Monday.

 

“The hospital has requested we wait until September 1 to enter into that agreement,” Wetmore said. “It’s because of the virus and everything. It’s a hectic time for all of us so if we can wait and get past this, September would be the good time to look at getting that started.”

 

While Bridgeport City Council was approving the six figures in funding for the officers, including uniforms and equipment needed, the reason it’s a cost for UHC is that the money would be reimbursed to the city by the hospital. And as Marshall mentioned already, funds are tight now.

 

“Normally, we have a pretty occupancy rate. With the COVID-19 going on, we had to intentionally clear out the hospital for anticipated patients we are supposed to receive,” said Marshall. “In order to do that, we had to stop all elective procedures and that freed up 50 percent of our bed capacity. By doing that, we’re losing our shirt right now.”

 

Wetmore said the item will return on a future agenda but didn’t specify an exact date.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows a Bridgeport Police car at the entrance to United Hospital Center, while Geoff Marshall is shown below.