WICC The Voice of Connecticut

"Connecticut Today" host Paul Pacelli discussed news that Fairfield is now the tenth state municipality to announce the coming use of automated traffic cameras. Many folks consider the cameras necessary, while others consider such systems a "big-government" intrusion on civil liberties (01:01). Connecticut Inside Investigator reporter Marc Fitch talked about the latest controversy surrounding the state's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority under former chair Marissa Gillett (14:18). Hearst Connecticut Media Senior Editor and Columnist Dan Haar updated us on the state employment picture and the departure of a key state marketing official (20:04). CBS News White House reporter Aaron Navarro also weighed in on President Trump's latest address and White House reaction to a controversial piece in Vanity Fair (28:46)

These devices can be controversial, but another town is on board with adding speed and red-light cameras to the municipality. Orange town officials voted unanimously to incorporate them. For the latest on this, we checked in with Orange First Selectman Jim Zeoli. (00:00) We then spoke with DOT spokesperson, Josh Morgan, about the process of approval for cameras in any town or city. (9:03) To see a list of the approved plans: https://portal.ct.gov/dot/programs/automated-traffic-enforcement-safety-device/approved-plans?language=en_US

We welcomed newly elected president of the Bridgeport City Council, Jeanette Herron, to hear her plans for the 20-member department.

An investigation is ongoing after an armed security officer discharged a firearm inside Torrington Elementary School. It happened Tuesday morning before students got there so thankfully no one was hurt but it puts questions in people’s minds about whether to have armed security at schools. Let’s remember, last month the Bristol Board of Education unanimously voted to add armed security personnel to the school district’s staff. It’s the first district in the state where employees are authorized to carry firearms. We spoke with one of our law enforcement experts, Gary MacNamara, about the case and its potential impact on other schools bringing armed guards on board.

I don’t see a partridge in a pear tree, but we do see a lot of scams out there to be aware of. We spoke with Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection about the 12 Scams of Christmas to look out for.