James Bairaktaris 10/3/22 James Bairaktaris 10/3/22

“The Unit”: Westport Officers to Fight Traffic Issues after Community Outcry for Enforcement

The Westport Police Department announced today that it will be establishing a Traffic Safety Unit (the “Unit”) in early October. The Unit’s sole focus will be to mitigate the traffic related issues affecting the Westport community. This will include targeted motor vehicle enforcement on our area roadways with an emphasis on aggressive and distracted driving. Additionally, the officers in the Unit will host educational programs and forums where members of the community can meet with the Unit officers to share their concerns.

Over the past several months, First Selectwoman Jen Tooker organized a series of meetings where citizens were invited to meet with representatives from the Police, Fire, Public Works, and P&Z Departments to voice their traffic related issues and concerns. Ms. Tooker said, “Clearly, poor driving habits have become a major quality of life issue for our residents. So, Police Chief Koskinas and I are committed to making our roadways safer for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The newly created Traffic Safety Unit is a vital step in accomplishing that goal.”

Police Chief Koskinas stated, “traffic safety has always been one of the police department’s top priorities and it is my belief that the new Traffic Safety Unit will have a positive effect on altering drivers’ behaviors.”

The Traffic Safety Unit will be comprised of two police officers – Scott Thompson and Dominique Carr. Officer Thompson joined the department in July of 2017. Prior to coming to Westport, he was an officer in Trumbull for thirty years. During his tenure with the Trumbull Police, Officer Thompson spent over sixteen years in its Traffic Unit. He is a certified motorcycle officer and is on Westport’s Accident Investigation Team. Officer Carr joined the department in November of 2020. Prior to coming to Westport, he spent two years with the Windsor Police Department. Officer Carr is a certified motorcycle officer.

Promoting safe and responsible driving is of the utmost importance to the Westport Police Department, so we ask the motoring public to do their part. Please drive carefully and obey all traffic laws.