“Liquor Stickers” help Combat Underage Drinking
Press ReleaseFirst Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker and Human Services Director Elaine Daignault have announced the Westport Prevention Coalition's (WPC) new campaign to combat underage drinking in Westport. The WPC began working with alcohol retailers in December to provide complimentary “Liquor Stickers” to local package stores.
The campaign provides free information cards and “Liquor Stickers” to legal-age alcohol purchasers at the point of sale. The materials seek to raise community awareness about increased levels of underage drinking in Westport, and to encourage adults to do their part to prevent teens from accessing alcohol in the home.
"Liquor Stickers" seal the top of unfinished liquor bottles to monitor consumption. A broken seal indicates that someone has opened the bottle. These simple stickers offer an easy system that may prevent youth from accessing liquor in private homes.
At the time of publication, the following local retailers are participating in the campaign:
The Grapevine at King’s Corner
Black Bear Wine & Spirits
Kindred Spirits & Wine
Green’s Farms Spirit Shop
Dan’s Liquors
"There's a reason why alcohol and other substances such as nicotine and cannabis aren't legal for individuals under age 21", explains WPC co-chairs Kevin Godburn (Westport Youth Services) and Margaret Watt (Positive Directions). They continued, "Substance use in the teen years can disrupt healthy brain development and create a potential for lifelong consequences including a future of addiction and mental health problems. We encourage residents to talk to their children about the dangers of alcohol and drug misuse and help spread the word to other community members.”
According to the 2021 Youth Survey conducted by Positive Directions on behalf of WPC, Westport teens reported drinking at a rate higher than the 2019 CT state average–even though the survey occurred during the pandemic when social opportunities were rarer.
Together we can take steps to help reduce underage access to these substances.
Be aware that teens who drink often access alcohol at home or in a friend's home. Use liquor stickers to seal the tops of your liquor bottles, and/or keep your alcohol in a locked cabinet to prevent access by your children or their friends.
Ensure that kids aren't drinking at your house, and call ahead when your kids are invited to a party to make sure that adults will be home and making sure alcohol is not available.
CT's "Social Host Law" holds adults (age 18+) responsible if someone under 21 drinks on their property. Penalties include a $2000 fine per youth who was drinking, as well as up to a year in prison. The Social Host Law applies even if the adults were not on site and/or were unaware that teens were drinking in their homes. (This law also applies to cannabis.)
First Selectwoman Tooker encourages residents to "Thank your retailers for doing their part to protect Westport youth by participating in this important initiative with the Prevention Coalition."
Morning Weather Report
Today
Rain, mainly after 11am. High near 42. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
Rain, mainly before 2am. Low around 37. East wind 6 to 11 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tomorrow
A 40 percent chance of rain, mainly before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. West wind 6 to 15 mph.
Tomorrow Night
A 20 percent chance of rain before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Northwest wind 10 to 13 mph.
Westport Police: 5 Westport Tobacco/Vape Vendors Pass Undercover Compliance Check
Westport Police Department: On Wednesday January 18, 2023, the Westport Police Department working with the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program (TPEP) conducted unannounced compliance inspections of establishments that sell tobacco products and/or electronic cigarettes. The inspections were performed in an effort to determine compliance with state laws concerning the prohibition of the sale of e-cigarettes and/or tobacco products to youth under the age of 21.
Retailers are required by state law to inspect the photo ID of anyone who appears under the age of 30 before selling a tobacco product or electronic cigarette. Free online training is available to anyone who would like to learn more at: www.cttobaccotraining.com.
A total of 5 unannounced compliance inspections were conducted. Of this total, 0 (zero), establishments were found non-compliant with Connecticut General Statutes 53-344 (Sale of tobacco to a person under 21) or Section 53-344b (Sale of an e-cigarette to a person under 21).
Learn more at https://www.ct.gov/dmhas/tpep
Tobacco retailers are licensed by the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS). Non-compliant inspection results are referred to DRS for possible administrative action.
The following retailers were found to be compliant:
Shell/A1 Smoke Shop – 322 Post Road East
Cumberland Farms – 690 Post Road East
Westport Cigar & Vape – 1248 Post Road East
Merritt Country Store – 337 Main Street
WP Convenience – 1761 Post Road East
Westport Man Arrested (again); This time for Property Damage
Contributed photo
On December 21st, 2022 Westport Police initiated an investigation after a complaint was made regarding damage caused to landscaping at property owned by the Westport Housing Authority. The complainant provided video surveillance of the alleged suspect driving over grass areas of the property causing significant damage. Through the surveillance footage, the investigating officer identified the alleged suspect as James Doyle. The officer applied for and was granted a warrant charging Mr. Doyle with the above crime. On January 13th, 2023, the investigating officer witnessed Mr. Doyle driving his vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. Mr. Doyle was arrested and transported to Westport Police Department where he was processed. Mr. Doyle was released on court set bond of $2500 with a court date of January 23rd, 2023 at Stamford Superior Court.
Mr. Doyle was also arrested for striking a jogger just last week and again in November for Stalking.