Westport Community Invited to a Suicide Prevention Lunch “to enhance the community's ability to support one another.”
First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker announced that the Westport Prevention Coalition is offering a free Suicide Prevention Lunch and Learn for Town employees, elected officials, commissioners, volunteers, and residents on Friday, September 30 from 11 am to 12:30 pm at the Westport Library (20 Jesup Road). RSVP is required and space is limited. Please register at www.positivedirections.org/events.
Margaret Watt, Director of Prevention Services at Positive Directions, will facilitate the evidence-based certificate training, Question-Persuade-Refer (QPR), in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
“Tragically, suicide has been increasing in all age groups, with teens and young adults particularly feeling the impact of the COVID pandemic,” said Watt. “Each of us likely knows someone struggling with thoughts of suicide--which means any of us could be the one who intervenes to save a life. That’s why the QPR training is so valuable.”
Ms. Tooker encourages Town employees and residents to attend this FREE lunch & learn/suicide prevention training to enhance the community's ability to support one another.
According to Tooker, "Many are struggling with their mental health. This training offers critical information about what to look for and how to help someone in distress."
Tooker emphasized the importance of the Westport Prevention Coalition's work and invited residents to participate as coalition members. The Westport Prevention Coalition provides a comprehensive approach to education and prevention services for Westport residents of all ages through regular coalition meetings and programming.
To learn more, or to get involved in the Westport Prevention Coalition, go to www.westporttogether.org/prevention-coalition.
Governor: “violent and property crimes are down in Connecticut from the previous year”
Governor Ned Lamont issued the following statement in response to today’s release of Connecticut’s annual crime statistics report, which compiles data on crimes reported to law enforcement agencies in the state for the 2021 calendar year:
“This report shows violent and property crimes are down in Connecticut from the previous year, preserving our state’s status as one of the safest in the country. We must remain laser-focused on further reducing crime. Speaking as a father, a husband, and governor, one crime is too many. We have a real opportunity, working together with law enforcement and community partners, to further increase public safety in Connecticut.”
The annual report is created by the Crimes Analysis Unit of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and is now in its 44th year of publication. It is the most comprehensive source of crime-related data for the state.
Data from the report shows that between 2020 and 2021, Connecticut experienced a:
3% reduction in overall crime;
9% reduction in violent crime; and a
2% reduction in property crimes.
Additionally, the report finds that over the last ten years overall crime in Connecticut has fallen 30%, including a 43% reduction in violent crime and a 29% reduction in property crime.
During the last four years, the Connecticut State Police Training Academy has graduated 333 new state troopers through six training troops. The 132nd Training Troop is currently in progress and anticipated to graduate an additional 33 new state troopers by the end of October. The State Police plans to commence another training troop in November. That class of state trooper trainees are currently being recruited and will graduate in 2023.
The state budget that Governor Lamont signed into law earlier this year for the 2023 fiscal year makes significant investments in crime prevention and reduction, especially involving gun violence, as well as services for crime victims and support to clear court cases that accumulated during the pandemic. This includes:
$11 million for strategies led by law enforcement officials to trace firearms to their sources, reduce stolen cars, reduce violent crime, and promote safety on rural roads;
$8 million for community and public health-led strategies to prevent and reduce gun violence;
$4 million to invest in the latest forensic science technologies to speed up investigations and the clearing of criminal cases;
$18 million to help victims and survivors recover from crime through safety planning, crisis counseling, mental health treatment, and support for survivors of domestic violence; and
$32 million to speed up the processing of court cases.
**Download: Annual crime statistics report for 2021 from the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
DPW Announces Fall Road Paving Program for 22 Westport Streets
The Public Works Department announced today that the Town’s Fall Paving Program has started. The program will continue through the end of September until mid-October, weather permitting. The following Town roadways will be paved, though not necessarily in this order:
Hunt Club Lane
Tiffany Lane
Imperial Avenue
Broad Street
Jesup Road
Main Street
Taylor Place
Northfield Drive
Bay Street
Brooklawn Drive
Marion Road
Meadow View Drive
Hillyfield Lane
Cypress Pond Road
Oakwood Lane
Barbara Place
Charcoal Lane
Bowling Lane
Charcoal Hill Common
Avery Place
Old Road
Broad Street
Drivers and pedestrians residents are urged to use caution around work sites and allow extra driving time.
Questions regarding the project can be referred to the Public Works Office at (203) 341-1120.
Morning Weather Report
Today
A 20 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Southwest wind 7 to 14 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Southwest wind around 8 mph.
Tomorrow
Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Southwest wind 6 to 14 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 51. West wind around 8 mph.
High Tides
12:03 PM
Low Tides
6:00 AM / 6:23 PM