.
Feedback

A Fight at Trumbull Mall, Monroe K-9 Gunner Maintains Order

Trumbull police arrested three juvenile females after police disbursed the crowd and broke up the fight.

TRUMBULL — Three juvenile females got into a scuffle in the courtyard outside of Ruby Tuesday's at the just after 7 Monday night, and large group of kids surrounded the girls to cheer them on, according to police. Reinforcements were brought in and three arrests were made.

Trumbull officers, who were stationed at the mall that night, called for backup. Cars from the Trumbull, Monroe, Bridgeport and Stratford police departments, as well as state police officers arrived within minutes. The out-of-town reinforcements brought their dogs.

According to Monroe Police Lt. Brian McCauley, his department's K-9 officer Gunner followed a barking command to get the crowd to disburse.

"In this particular case, the crowd was getting so large and unruly that we didn't want to just have our guys in there," said Trumbull Deputy Police Chief Michael Harry.

In the end, all three of the girls involved in the fight, ages 14, 15, and 17, were arrested by the Trumbull Police Department. Two were issued juvenile infractions for breach of peace, and the third was issued a juvenile summons for breach of peace and interfering with an officer. Bridgeport police arrested an additional juvenile girl for interfering with an officer and she will be sent to juvenile court.

                                                                 — Bill Bittar contributed to this story

Nancy B. January 2, 2012 at 05:44 pm
My question is: who pays for the out of town police response? Do the towns and cities of Monroe, Stratford and Bridgeport submit invoices for their services?
Alex Smith January 2, 2012 at 06:13 pm
I am honestly disgusted with the responses to this article. I live in Monroe, and work at the Trumbull mall. Those buses bus in my co-workers, and one of my managers. The racism here is blatant. I'm sure most of you are middle-aged adults, and that sickens me. Who are you to make these judgements and stereotypes? Those "ghetto" people from Bridgeport are my customers, and some of the kindest people I have met. Once, a snotty lady manager from the Fairfield store was rude to me on the phone, and one of my customers got on the phone with her and told her off (using no "ghetto" or rude language). She stuck up for me. And you know what? The customers that act the worse in my store at the mall come from Monroe, Fairfield, and Trumbull. The entitled princes and princesses that we are.
And to all of these people who are "afraid" to go to the mall? I'm a physically small, teenage girl who has been at the mall till eleven or twelve at night and had to walk to the car by myself. I have never been harassed or even looked at the wrong way while the mall was open or closed. Has anyone personally seen a gun pulled? And who are you saying pulled that gun? Don't you dare call people from Bridgeport "ghetto". That is a racist and massive generalization. Where were those girls from anyway? Just because they were arrested by the Trumbull and Bridgeport police does not mean that they are from those towns. Someone should find out before blaming "ghetto" people.
Alex Smith January 2, 2012 at 06:16 pm
So who exactly has that happened to?
Can you give us a link to that police report? Or is that just one of the many things that could happen? I mean let's how manly you are when you're trampled by an elephant. I mean, since we're talking about things are very likely to happen in the near future.
Alex Smith January 2, 2012 at 06:18 pm
* chauvinistic
Alex Smith January 2, 2012 at 06:21 pm
Who is exactly is "ghetto slime"? Why do you think that? Please provide links to police reports of incidents for everyone you are calling "ghetto slime."
If cannot provide that, please stop talking out of your butt. Oh, and so it's not cool that someone made a chauvinistic remark, but it's okay for you to make racist remarks? That's a tad hypocritical.
Alex Smith January 2, 2012 at 06:31 pm
Stop the buses? 90% of people on welfare spending money they don't have?
Managers and workers get bused in. Paying customers get bused in. Go look up exactly how many people living in places that get bused to the Trumbull mall are on welfare. It's not a lot. Less than 20%. So unless basically the only people on welfare go to the mall, that's not true. And if they are on welfare, they can buy groceries and clothes for their children. But most people who bused in aren't. And most people who are bused commit no crimes, and are lovely people. My customers who are bused in are more polite and kinder than my customers from places like Monroe, Fairfield, and Trumbull (I check id when I swipe a credit card, so I know where they live). If you want, you can come into work with me and I'll introduce you to my manager who is bused in. Great guy. You can talk to my pregnant co-worker, and explain to her that you think her being able to work to help support her child and supplement her husband's income is a bad idea because she takes the bus. You can tell my friend that he can longer support his mother because the buses bring in people like him.
Christine E. January 2, 2012 at 06:44 pm
Oh...really? I'm racist? Didn't you just read my comment (which never mentioned race at all) and automatically assume I couldn't possibly be referring to white people? I've seen some pretty thugged out, wanna-be ganster white boys. How typically liberal of you.
Christine E. January 2, 2012 at 06:50 pm
If you think people from Monroe, Fairfield and Trumbull act entitled, you need to get further south into Fairfield County and spend some time working retail amongst the townies there. Your perception of Trumbullites will quickly change.
While you may not have ever had anything happen to you while walking to your car alone, that doesn't mean it won't ever happen. While I admire your ability to walk freely without so much as a care in the world, all that has done has made you a future target for those who keep watch and notice how little you pay attention to the environment around you. The Bridgeport that existed when my parents were children is not the same Bridgeport in 2012. Never said everyone in Bridgeport was ghetto, but please...you're probably the type of girl who would make a wrong turn downtown at night and sob profusely on your smart phone to your dad to come rescue you.
Joey January 2, 2012 at 07:28 pm
Christine - keep the hypocritical statements coming. You make racist comments then call people liberals when you can't defend yourself. Accuse others of making chauvinistic comments then accuse a young lady of crying and in need of rescue from her father. Sounds like you are the one who sobs profusely at the thought of diversity.
Ron January 2, 2012 at 07:36 pm
Joey, was that perversity? Lots of people sob at the thought of diversity.
John F. January 2, 2012 at 07:47 pm
Never had one put in my face, but i have been "shown" before. All because I walked in front of him going into a store. I wasn't paying attention and walked too close right in front of him, even said "excuse me". Didn't seem to matter much as I was told to be "more careful" as he lifted up his shirt. He might have been 17. So you cannot say it does not happen.
Christine E. January 2, 2012 at 08:16 pm
Joey - By the way, you know that white people are in gangs too, right?
Christine E. January 2, 2012 at 08:17 pm
Joey
I find it comical how i'm labeled 'racist' for saying 'ghetto'. The reason you guys are calling me racist is because YOU have automatically linked 'ghetto' and 'gangster' with people who aren't white. I didn't make that connection. You did, without any help from me. Just another politically correct person trying point fingers and yell 'racist' the second they hear (or read) something they don't like. In regards to my comment to Alex, it wasn't about her gender. I didn't say "you'll cry because you're a girl". My point was that it's easy to act like you're not scared of anything, until you're suddenly thrust in the situation and frantically calling your parents or someone to come help you. I've known many teenage boys who'd probably have the same reaction. My comment was about her age, not gender.
Christine E. January 2, 2012 at 08:19 pm
Oh - But John F! If you didn't report it to police, it couldn't possibly have really happened. Didn't you know? Things aren't real unless they're documented.
Alex Smith January 2, 2012 at 10:40 pm
I'm the type of girl who doesn't go into areas I don't know without print-out maps and GPS. And I'm curious, why do you assume that I have a smart phone and daddy who would rescue me?
And I'm flattered that you think someone would go out of their way to watch me, with my ever changing schedule simply because I'm not looking over my shoulder in fear. If I get attacked, it could be anywhere at any time. Please don't think of me as naive. I have been attacked before in a place where I was promised safety so I'm not gonna be an idiot, flaunting that I'm alone and vulnerable. I'm just not paranoid or bitter. The stress of fear is a lot more damaging than what may happen one day. And I do think that "we" (I include myself here) are more entitled than some of our neighboring towns. I'm sure that there are other places more entitled than we are. Times have changed in Bridgeport, but they have also changed Trumbull and Monroe, too. I believe some of the drug problems Trumbull has weren't the same when my father grew up. He used to be allowed to ride his bike to Trumbull center and back alone at night in 1974, but the children I babysit cannot play in the yard in daylight without supervision in Trumbull today. My mother works at a Trumbull middle school that she attended as a child. I hear there's a lot more bomb threats nowadays. I don't want to fight with you, Ms. E. I just don't think it's fair to make as many generalizations as you have made.
jim laguardia January 2, 2012 at 10:44 pm
thank you i asked the same type of question way back on this link before all of the name calling got started.... if they were there without adults then they should be charged as adults and they or their parents should be responsible for paying any sort of expenses to our towns !!!!
Alex Smith January 2, 2012 at 10:45 pm
Christine, today an alien came from outer space and did the Jitterbug with me. Then we got ice cream and he gave me a hug and I turned into a bird and then I flew back to my house and responded to a Monroe Patch article. And you have to believe me, even though I don't have any proof.
I'm sorry to want proof, to be sure people aren't making things up. I'm sorry that happened to John, but I think it's okay to be skeptical of people saying guns were shown and no police reports were filed.
Alex Smith January 2, 2012 at 10:50 pm
You could be referring to white people. But if then why would call the white people "gangster wannabes" and not just straight up gangsters?
You didn't call any other race "wannabes". And maybe racist isn't the right word, but I'm having trouble coming up with someone who discriminates against someone of a certain socio-economic class. Let's agree to stop making assumptions, the both of us? Okay?
Christine E. January 3, 2012 at 12:54 am
Jim,
For once I actually agree with you. I fully understand where there may be a need for assistance, but particularly now with all of the budget cuts and Financial bickering going on there really is no room for the added expense of out-of-town courtesy calls. I'm actually curious, but how is it handled when neighboring towns need fire assistance? It happens all the time, but I'm completely unaware as to how that works. Does anyone know?
Gruyere January 3, 2012 at 03:45 am
Racist, ghetto, entitled.....blah, blah, blah. Question # 1-How can the three teenage girl fighters in this specific situation best be described? Black? White, Asian? Latino? Other? Single parent household? No parent household? Question # 2 - How can the crowd cheering on this fight be described? Mostly white? Mostly black? Mostly adults? Mostly kids? Let me guess..... But regardless of the answers, no one involved will face any meaningful consequence. Wrist slaps and taxes so that working people continue to pay for "trash" pick-up.
Craig Zac January 3, 2012 at 01:21 pm
Why do you think "Ghetto Slime" is a racist remark? Are you trying to say that there are no whites or Latinos in ghettos? That in itself is a form of racism. Like saying "Oh he is a minority so its ok for him to do that".
Craig Zac January 3, 2012 at 01:27 pm
Slime who live in the ghettos? Although its not only "Ghetto slime" causing problems at the malls, its the more well off bored kids from the middle class suburbs, the bored poor kids who think its cool to act mean or "Hard" as its put, the wanna be tough guys from out of town with something they think they need to prove. iwouldnt go to the POS mall either, its no use for me to get busted breaking the head of some 16 year old moron who thinks that being with his friends makes him tough. wanna see tough? follow one home, get them alone and watch the pee run down his leg. Best bet is to not shop there eventually the mall will lose stores and go under...or hire REAL security who wont let these punks do whatever they want. theres alot more malls around that are much nicer anyhow. west farms is great, Danbury, Waterbury...
Craig Zac January 3, 2012 at 01:30 pm
its a haul but once you compare the mall to Trumbull, its a no brainer. the stores are better, the place is cleaner, strong police presence and the shoppers are more grown up and act more normal. not like cavemen from 16 million BC. ill take the extra 25 minutes ride to shop in piece, why should anyone have to be on high alert while out shopping? this isnt post apocolyptic NYC!
Craig Zac January 3, 2012 at 01:33 pm
Thats the problem, you dont know who they are till its too late. This aint TV where they all have the sme colors on or wear fancy jackets with the Gang name on the back. they look like ordinary kids till they are shanking you in the bathroom...lol Ef em. they can have those two S-hole malls. they s**k any ways. May as well shop at walmart or Targets.
Craig Zac January 3, 2012 at 01:35 pm
Alex, i can link your Alien story from Patch so it IS real...
Man, you are so lucky you know how to Jitterbug, I hear Aliens can be quite "Ghetto" if you refuse to dance with them... lol
Craig Zac January 3, 2012 at 01:44 pm
Ahhh NYC in the 80's.... then R G rounded up all the Riff Raff, shipped em off the Jersey or where ever they went and its been great ever since. Of course, all the Liberals (the same ones who said Manhatten was too dangerous to go to) cried thart Rudy G and his "Nazi" Police forces were trampeling on the rights of the muggers, gangsters, pan handlers, crazies, window washers and all the rest. But then realized it was again safe to walk down Broadway or go see a show or even take the train into Harlem then hop on the subwya to the old Stadium to go watch the Yankees. Maybe the mall cops should adopt the same policy, round up these punks and drop em off in the middle of the South Bronx or into Camden NJ and call it a day
Ron January 3, 2012 at 02:31 pm
G:...death for the first offense would clear up all those problems-white,black,hispanic,urban,suburban,plaid,polka dot or whatever.
And it would ease crowding in prisons.
QWERTY January 3, 2012 at 04:36 pm
No one has read about the riots and fights at BOTH Milford and Trumbull malls this year?! All dealing with teenagers.
The mall borders Bridgeport, Bridgeport has a high crime rate, many mall patrons comes from Bridgeport, malls typically attract teenagers. It's a bad combination with very bad potential. Does anyone remember the shooting at Bow-Tie Cinemas?!?! I mean seriously. Bridgeport has multiple movie theaters, yet the scum decided to travel to Trumbull and have their pow-wow.
Gruyere January 3, 2012 at 06:21 pm
Sarcasm or sensibility? I can't tell. Good idea though.
Benny January 10, 2012 at 01:40 am
That mall has a HUGE theft issue. I used to work there & had an ex-employee try to jump me after I fired her for stealing.

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Monroe Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Lisa Coates June 14, 2013 at 08:09 pm
Phone number is not working, I'm interested, how do I contact you?
ploulis June 16, 2013 at 08:41 pm
My son ran out of minutes but his phone should be working now. try again 203-581-0063 orRead More 203-268-1111.
Bill Bittar (Editor) June 13, 2013 at 11:42 pm
It was a sunny day with bright yellow flowers growing in front of the gazebo, but you can't see thatRead More from how it was positioned. I'll eventually be able to change the home background myself. But not yet unfortunately. You're right, though. It would be nicer to have the leaves on the trees etc.