Parker Harding Parking Problem; What WAS She Thinking
We have all seen various examples of bad parking in Westport. Some are more flagrant than others and some leave one scratching their head in amazement at the sight of such poor or sometimes dreadful parking of an automobile. We wonder, is it lack ability to park properly, or lack of consideration for those who are inconvenienced. Was it due to some dire emergency to which someone had to respond immediately. Who knows?
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
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This particular example raises the question, just what was the driver of this silver BMW thinking? She parked her vehicle substantially enough into the driving lane to cause other drivers to thread their way through the narrow lane which was left. Smaller cars could maneuver more easily but larger vehicles like the SUV's ubiquitous here in town sometimes had to have the passenger exit the car and guide their vehicle through to open area sometimes coming perilously close to the offending vehicle. Cars backed up down the roadway and people walking to their parked cars also had difficulty.
After about 15 minutes of watching we saw a Westport PD officer arrive on scene. She looked over the situation and then drove her cruiser around the lot to position it blockading the lane to prevent drivers from being in the middle of the mess.
After 10 minutes or so of this, the operator of the BMW appeared and the officer and she had a conversation, about what, we can only guess as WPD did not provide details up inquiry by WestportLocal.
We were not able to determine if the driver just returned as a matter of course or if WPD was somehow able to reach her and request she return to remove her car. We could confirm is a ticket was issued, or a warning. The issue ended as the driver drove her vehicle (the wrong way) toward the patrol car and then exited the Parker Harding.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
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Westporters and Visitors Enjoyed Last Weekend's Beautiful Weather, This Weekend Looks Anything But Beautiful
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
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Last weekend's beautiful summer-like weather brought people outdoors everywhere from downtown to Compo beach to enjoy the temps in the mid 70's and the warm sunshine. This weekend does not look like it will bear any resemblance to that be delightful weather.
Rain is expected to blanket the area both Saturday and Sunday as a result of tropical rainstorm Ophelia which may put a damper on one of Westport's favorite events, Saturday's Rotary Lobster Fest held each year at Compo beach.
The beautiful impatiens in front of Anthropologie and at Bedford Square were full and lush but it will not be long before a freeze one night ends their beautiful display. One passer-by in his car may have smelled the great food being enjoyed by lunch time diners sitting at the many tables at downtown restaurants including a young woman visiting Westport from NYC.
Newly installed, very stylish bike racks on Main St. and Church Lane come in handy as they did for Jeff Cuff of Westport who parked his Lectric e-bike at this one. Some of the company's higher end e-bikes go for as much as $1500.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Meanwhile, at Compo Beach folks enjoyed catching some rays and a few even went for a swim as the water temps were actually mild. Some strolled through the beach, others did the picnic thing or walked along Soundview.
The playground at Compo was a busy scene with children and their parents enjoying some playtime. There was a birthday party at the outdoor pavilion for a young man who was clearly a Buffalo Bills fan
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Inside the brick pavilion, Hannah Makmale, who won a gold medal at the annual U.S. Rowing Youth National Championship in Sarasota, Florida in June rowing for the Saugatuck Rowing Club, celebrated her 16th birthday with a group of her Weston friends.
A seagull who had been eyeing first one door and then the next at Hook'd On The Sound, hoping for an opportunity to grab a snack. He finally made his move and was very unceremoniously escorted out by one of their employees.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Later, in Saugatuck, the bubble tent domes at Rizzuto's were replaced earlier this season with tent canopies adorned with flowers, garlands and other decorations creating a lovely tropical ambience. for their dinner guests.
Public Forum On Car Jacking & Thefts Tonight At Town Hall
In collaboration with First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker, the Westport Police Department will host a Public Forum on Public Safety as it relates to car thefts, vehicle break-ins and the recent carjacking incident. The event will take place on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Westport Town Hall Auditorium, 110 Myrtle Avenue.
Police Chief Foti Koskinas will lead a discussion focusing on the safety concerns voiced by members of our community. Chief Koskinas and members of the command staff will present the ongoing work of the Regional Auto Theft Task Force that was formed due to the increased car thefts and vehicle break-ins in the area.
The event will be live streamed on the Westport Town Website:
Interested residents may also view a Westport What's Happening Podcast of an interview with First Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Chief Of Police Foti Koskinas on the topic.In this very important episode Chief Koskinas and First Selectwoman Tooker discuss the recent carjacking incident and auto thefts in Westport and how to prevent them.
Most important says Chief Koskinas is: LOCK YOUR CAR
BUSTED! Westport Police Make Arrest In Sunday Carjacking
On Tuesday members of Westport PD's Detective Bureau arrested a 16 year old juvenile in connection with the carjacking that occurred on Sunday September 16th. Westport Detectives, as part of the Bridgeport Auto Theft Task Force on Monday executed a search warrant of a residence in Berlin, CT.
Based on information obtained by the Westport Detective Bureau, a warrant to search a residence in Berlin, CT was secured. On September 18, 2023, the warrant was executed by members of the Bridgeport Auto Theft Task Force, of which Westport is a member, along with members of Berlin Police Department. During this search four stolen motor vehicles were recovered, one of which was the Aston Martin taken during the carjacking (above, center).
A 2021 BMW 530i that was stolen from Westport on September 16 and used in the carjacking was also located during the search (above, right). Finally, a BMW stolen from Ridgefield (above, right) and a Porsche stolen from Rhode Island (below, right) were also recovered. Twenty-nine-year-old Derek McGill, (above, left) who lives at the home where the stolen cars were found, was placed under arrest by the Bridgeport Auto Theft Task Force but does not currently have charges pending in Westport. He is being held on a $250,000 bond and has been charged with the following crimes: Larceny of Motor Vehicle 1st Degree (4 Counts), Conspiracy to Commit Larceny of Motor Vehicle 1st (1 Count), Payment Card Theft (1 Count). Illegal Operation of a Chop Shop (1 Count), Conspiracy to Commit Illegal Operation of a Chop Shop (1 Count
A second search warrant was also executed today.
According to Westport PD Lt. Eric Woods:
On September 19, 2023, Westport Police Detectives, the Connecticut State Police Violent Crime Task Force, and members of the Waterbury Police Department executed a second search warrant on a residence in Waterbury, CT. A handgun with an extended magazine was seized. A sixteen-year-old juvenile who resides in the home was arrested by Westport police after evidence linking him to the carjacking was uncovered. He was charged with the following crimes: Strangulation 1st Degree, Robbery by Carjacking, Burglary 1st Degree, Criminal Attempt to Commit Larceny of Motor Vehicle 1st Degree, Assault 3rd Degree. After conversation with juvenile prosecutors, an additional charge of home invasion has been filed against the 16 year old juvenile.
Contributed photos supplied by Westport Police.