Police Department Supports Autism Awareness Month with New Badges, Vehicle Seals
Press Release - Chief of Westport Police Foti KoskinasApril is Autism Awareness Month, and the Westport Police Department enthusiastically stands with the autistic community in celebrating this opportunity to promote both education and a greater understanding of autism.
In a 2016 study, the Center for Disease Control stated that one in every fifty-four U.S. children has an Autism Spectrum Disorder. According to the National Autism Center this means that “at least one million U.S. boys and girls have autism, not to mention the rapidly growing number of adults with autism.”
These statistics certainly suggest that autism touches most of our lives in some way and because of that the Westport Police is committed to supporting those with autism as well as their family members.
To honor the autistic community and to promote autism awareness, Westport officers have purchased Autism Awareness Commemorative Badges which they will be wearing on their uniforms during April. The badge is blue and prominently features the puzzle piece logo in the center which is the universal symbol of autism awareness. A portion of the badge’s purchase price will be donated directly to Autism Speaks to help fund this organization’s crucial work. An additional way we will be promoting this important cause is by affixing the puzzle piece logo onto the doors of all our police cars. The logos were generously donated by Fleet Auto Supply.
Police Chief Foti Koskinas noted that, “autism is very prevalent but unfortunately is often misunderstood. That is why we are taking this time to promote awareness as well as acceptance and the Westport Police Department is proud to be a part of that effort.”
Autism Awareness Month is also an opportune time to remind the community about Westport’s Disability Registry. Its creation was a combined effort of the Westport Disability Commission, Human Services, and the Police Department. The confidential registry is used to provide essential information that will assist the police and other emergency workers to address the needs of residents of all abilities. Please see the following link for more information about how to sign up for the registry: https://www.westportct.gov/home/showdocument?id=22465
New Neighbors: American Eagle’s “Unsubscribed” to Main Street
Unsubscribed joins the downtown area this Spring with fashion that’s eco-conscious and designed for a two season year instead of the typical four. Unsubscribed is a brand owned by American Eagle and was founded in June 2020, with only one store in East Hampton, New York. The new boutique takes over the former storefront of LF Stores.
Note From the Editor: Being Human
From the Executive Editor & Founder, Jaime Bairaktaris
There is a human behind the scenes here. It’s - truly - just me at the moment.
After these few months of working independently, I’m more sure on what the future is for The Westport Local Press; a wonderful experience filled with beautiful photos, a wider scope of coverage, and more consistent content on media like Instagram. It’s filled with other photographers and writers, thinkers and creators.
But sometimes, like this weekend, I’m reminded that it really is just me. And sometimes, like this weekend, I get emails about why I missed a story.
Yesterday hundreds of members of our community lined the driveway to the YMCA building to support a six year old boy being moved into hospice care. The boy is a recipient of a Make a Wish foundation wish, and his wish was to swim at the YMCA, enjoy a pizza party, and to pet a bearded dragon.
The call for people to support him spread like wildfire in a town filled with people who care about others. After hundreds reacted to the post, it was clear that our community would support this little boy and his family with as many cheers, posters, claps, balloons, and people as possible.
A commenter described a request for no news coverage. I took a moment to reflect on how this story would work on The Westport Local Press - what purpose it would serve.
At the end of the day, any story I write would not make that boy any happier. The purpose of the day was for him to feel the love of the strangers around him, for his family to feel the love of the strangers around him, and for him to eat his pizza, swim in the pool, and pet a bearded dragon. Nothing I could write will provide those things.
So I put my camera away, put my phone in my pocket, and I walked to the side of the roadway to await the boy’s arrival.
As the limousine pulled up to the driveway, I recognized the crowd around me feel the weight of the moment. Hundreds of families, firefighters, police officers, sports teams, and YMCA staff members all clapping and cheering - balloons raised and posters waving.
And there I was, waving and cheering with them as the boy’s small face poked out from the window of the passing limousine.
I felt the weight of mothers explaining to their children that it wasn’t his birthday. I felt the weight of the people whose masks were absorbing their tears. I felt the weight from the power of our community, and I felt the weight of a little boy’s simple wish for a pool, a pizza, and a bearded dragon.
Sometimes it’s not possible to feel that weight with a camera in-hand.
Sometimes I’m reminded that I’m human, and I miss a story.
This was one that I did not miss. I experienced it with so many of you. I felt the weight.
Morning Weather Report [03/28/21]
Today
Sunny, with a high near 53. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 44 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 34. West wind 5 to 9 mph becoming calm in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 60. Light and variable wind becoming south 8 to 13 mph in the morning.
Tomorrow Night
Increasing clouds, with a low around 42. South wind 5 to 9 mph.