Alex – Page 14 – DoingItLocal

FAIRFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZES MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Fairfield, CT — May is recognized nationally as Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Fairfield Police Department reaffirms its commitment to supporting wellness initiatives within the community and addressing mental health-related challenges with compassion, professionalism, and care. The Fairfield Police Department understands that individuals experiencing mental health crises may sometimes come into contact with law enforcement. When those situations arise, our goal is to respond with empathy, patience, and a deep understanding of the unique needs of those involved.

To that end, the department has developed and maintained a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), comprised of officers who have received specialized training to safely and effectively respond to calls for service involving mental or behavioral health issues. These officers are equipped to de-escalate situations and connect individuals with appropriate resources.

Additionally, the Fairfield Police Department is proud to have a licensed social worker embedded within the agency. This social worker assists in handling cases that originate through police calls for service and provides ongoing support to individuals and families facing mental health challenges. By offering follow-up care and resource coordination, our social worker helps bridge the gap between law enforcement and community-based mental health services.

In 2022, the department formalized its commitment to integrated mental health response by creating the Fairfield Police Behavioral Health Network. This network meets on a quarterly basis and brings together the department’s embedded social worker, members of the Crisis Intervention Team, and other stakeholders to review current practices, discuss recent cases, and identify ways to better serve the Fairfield community. The Fairfield Police Behavioral Health Network serves as a forum for continuous improvement, collaboration, and innovation in how law enforcement and mental health services intersect.

As part of our continued efforts to lead in this area, the department is also expanding its mental health support program by introducing a social work intern. This position is designed not only to provide additional assistance to our current caseloads, but also to serve as a learning opportunity for future social workers. The role represents a growing collaboration between the fields of law enforcement and social work, an innovative model that enhances community support and helps shape the next generation of mental health professionals.

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Fairfield Police Department is raising funds throughout May to support our Behavioral Health Network. Proceeds will be used to provide continued training for members of our Crisis Intervention Team, assist in offering critical resources to members of the Fairfield community facing mental health-related challenges, and support programs that enhance networking and outreach opportunities coordinated by our embedded social worker.

Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and reaffirm our shared responsibility to care for one another. The Fairfield Police Department remains dedicated to promoting mental wellness and ensuring that all individuals are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion, because mental health is public safety.

For more information about our Crisis Intervention Team, embedded social worker program, or fundraising efforts, please contact the Fairfield Police Department at (203) 254-4800 or visit our website at www.fpdct.com. Anyone willing to donate to this worthy cause can do so at https://fpdct.com/about/donate.php.

Westport First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker Appoints

Deputy Police Chief David Farrell as Chief of Police

Westport, CT — First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker has announced the appointment of Deputy Chief David Farrell as Chief of the Westport Police Department, effective May 23, 2025. Farrell will succeed Chief Foti Koskinas, who is stepping down after 29 years of distinguished service.

“Dave Farrell is the clear and natural choice to lead our Police Department forward,” said First Selectwoman Tooker. “His integrity, experience, and deep understanding of this community make him an extraordinary leader. I have complete confidence in Dave, and I am genuinely excited about what’s ahead under his leadership. This is a promising time for our Police Department, and Dave is the right person to guide us into the future.”

Chief David Farrell began his career with the Westport Police Department as a patrol officer in 2001. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2009 and to Lieutenant in 2012. In 2015, he was appointed Administrative Lieutenant and served as the department’s Public Information Officer. He was promoted to Captain in 2017, during which time he commanded the Patrol Division, Detective Bureau, Professional Standards Division, and Training Division.

In 2021, Chief Farrell was promoted to Deputy Chief, overseeing the budgets for the Police Department, Police Garage, Emergency Medical Services, Railroad Division, and Animal Control. He worked closely with the RTM and First Selectwoman’s Office on the Civilian Review Panel which is now the Civilian Public Safety Departments Review Board. Chief Farrell currently serves as the Director of Emergency Medical Services and the Director of Railroad Operations.

Chief Farrell is a certified Emergency Medical Technician. He has served as a Crisis/Hostage Negotiator with the Southwest Regional Emergency Response Team, a member of the Crisis Intervention Team and was a proud member of the Westport Police Department Honor Guard. He has also held leadership roles within the department’s labor organizations, serving as Vice President of both the Westport Police Union and the Westport Police Benevolent Association.

Chief Farrell volunteered with the Special Olympics, organizing multiple charity fundraisers and the annual Torch Run. Throughout his career, he has received numerous departmental awards, including a Chief’s Commendation, an Honorable Service Award, a Lifesaving Award, and multiple Unit Citations. He was also recognized with a service ribbon for his contributions to the Town of Newtown, CT in 2012, and a leadership pin for his role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chief Farrell holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Connecticut. He resides in Fairfield with his wife, Alison, and their two daughters, Olivia and Jocelyn.

Reflecting on his appointment, Farrell shared, “I’m truly honored to step into this role. I’m thankful for the chance to serve as Chief and excited to work with our officers and the Westport community. This town is something special — we’re all about community, looking out for one another, and keeping each other safe. That’s what makes Westport strong, and that’s the kind of spirit I’ll bring to everything we do at the police department.”

As the department prepares for this leadership transition, additional organizational announcements will follow shortly — signaling a new chapter for the Westport Police Department.

Austin Students Honored With Flower Bud Awards

Two second-degree nursing students were recognized for outstanding performance during clinical rotations at a partner medical center.

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (April 28, 2025)— Tatum Nordin ’25 and Taylor Walker ’25, nursing students at Fairfield University’s Austin Campus, were honored with Flower Bud Awards by St. David’s North Austin Medical Center. The prestigious award recognizes exceptional students who embody the core qualities of compassion, empathy, and professionalism during their clinical rotations.

Nordin and Walker are in their third semester of the Accelerated Second Degree Nursing program at the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies. They were assigned to St. David’s as part of their Medical-Surgical Nursing II course.

“The qualities for which Tatum and Taylor received recognition are fundamental to Fairfield’s Jesuit identity and the Egan School’s vision, mission, and purpose,” said Christina Trezza, MSN, RN, CNE, CCM, instructor of the practice and clinical coordinator in Austin. “It is no surprise that these exceptional students are turning heads with their outstanding and compassionate care for patients. I am so proud of them.”

The Flower Bud Award draws inspiration from the DAISY Award, an international nomination-based award given to registered nurses who demonstrate extraordinary compassion and outstanding clinical skills. The DAISY Foundation recognizes the Flower Bud Award as a companion award for nursing students.

Nordin and Walker received their award certificates in a ceremony attended by several of their Fairfield classmates, the nurse manager, and the chief nursing officer at St. David’s. The two students were celebrated for their dedication to excellence, exemplified by their enthusiasm for learning and clinical experiences.

“Nursing school is incredibly challenging, so this recognition is a sign that all my hard work is paying off,” said Walker. “I am genuinely grateful for the acknowledgement and support from St. David’s.”

Modest and sincere, Walker was quick to recognize her friends and faculty at Egan Austin. “I would not be at this point without my classmates, clinical instructor, and nursing professors,” she said. “This award honestly belongs to everyone!”

STRATFORD LIBRARY TEEN EVENTS IN MAY 2025

5/1: 3:00–4:30 PM — Homeschoolers Meet-Up
This is a meet-up for tween and teen homeschoolers to connect. Enjoy an hour in the Teen Department to talk, play games or read some books. Grades 6–12. Registration is required.

5/5: 3:00–4:30 PM — Cinco de Mayo Drop-in Craft
Stop by the Teen Department to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! We’ll make a craft, play music, and eat some snacks while learning about this Mexican celebration. Grades 6–12. No registration required.

5/8: 3:30–4:30 PM — Volunteer Open House
The 2025 Summer Volunteer Open House is coming soon! Mark your calendar if you’re interested in volunteering in the Children’s, Teen, and/or uCreate Department this summer. The meeting will cover applications, registrations, responsibilities, and schedules.
Teen & uCreate applications: accepted 5/8–5/22.
Children’s applications: accepted until 5/30.
More info: www.stratfordlibrary.org/volunteer.
Grades 8–13 (must have completed 7th grade). Location: Board Room.

5/8: 4:00–5:30 PM — Cake Pop Fun!
Are you ready for some Cake Pop Fun? Let’s work together to create these sweet treats and make one for a special woman in your life in honor of Mother’s Day. Location: Lovell Room. Grades 6–12. Registration required.

5/12: 4:30–5:30 PM — Express Yourself: The Singing Bowl Experience
This unique program includes a brief lecture on the history of Tibetan singing bowls, a discussion on sound healing, and hands-on practice with the instruments. Ends with a group meditation. Location: Lovell Room. Grades 8–12. Registration required.

5/18: 3:30–4:30 PM — Stress ReDUCKtion
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Paint your own giant rubber ducky and enjoy provided snacks. Location: Teen Department. Grades 6–12. No registration required.

5/20: 4:00–6:00 PM — Kindness Hour Special Event (All Ages)
Join Bunnell High School’s Kinder Connect Club & the Stratford Library Teen Department to create gift baskets for children at Yale New Haven Hospital. Bring items to donate or help decorate and pack. Donations accepted at the Teen Desk anytime. All ages. No registration required.

5/22: 3:30–4:30 PM — Homeschoolers Meet-Up
A repeat of the May 1 meet-up. Grades 6–12. Registration is required.

Stratford Police Arrest Man for Violating Protective Order, Illegal Gun Possession

Stratford, CT – On April 23, Stratford Police arrested 29-year-old Mark Febres after a domestic violence investigation led them to the Top Quality Vibes Bar in Orange. Febres, who is a convicted felon and the subject of a full no-contact protective order, was found with a Glock 43X firearm and taken into custody without incident.

Febres was charged with Criminal Violation of a Protective Order, Harassment 1st Degree, and Stalking 2nd Degree. He is being held on a $200,000 bond with a court date set for April 25. The Orange Police Department took custody of the firearm and secured an additional arrest warrant, with further charges including Criminal Possession of a Firearm and Carrying a Pistol without a Permit. Febres faces an additional $500,000 bond related to those charges.

Bridgeport Man Charged with Home Invasion After Stabbing on Park Avenue

On Thursday, April 24, 2025, Bridgeport Police were dispatched to the 1200 block of Park Avenue for a report of individuals blocking the entrance to a business. Upon arrival, several people began dispersing, but two individuals were seen walking in the opposite direction—one identified as 32-year-old Deonnedre Jones and the other as the victim. As officers approached, Jones ignored their commands, suddenly pulled a concealed knife, and stabbed the victim, sparking a foot chase through nearby backyards.

Jones eventually forced his way into an occupied home on Laurel Court. The residents immediately notified officers that an intruder had entered, and police made entry into the house. There, Jones brandished another knife before officers successfully subdued and apprehended him. The victim sustained a serious facial laceration, and both the victim and suspect were transported to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Jones now faces multiple charges, including Assault in the First Degree, Home Invasion, Criminal Trespass, Carrying a Dangerous Weapon, Interfering with an Officer, and Breach of Peace. His bond has been set at $750,000.

Norwalk Man Charged with Murder After Fatal Assault at Trumbull Apartment Complex

On Monday, April twenty-eighth, two thousand twenty-five, Trumbull Police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a man violently attacking a woman outside the main office of the Ten Trumbull apartment complex on Oakview Drive. Officers arrived to find a woman with serious injuries lying on the ground, and the suspect, identified as Ylli Shtopaku, forty-five years old, still at the scene. Witnesses reported that Shtopaku confronted several women he knew outside the complex, and after a brief verbal exchange, retrieved a bat from his vehicle and struck one of them during a chase.

The victim, identified as Lida Shape, seventy years old, a resident of the apartment complex, was transported to Saint Vincent’s Medical Center where she later succumbed to her injuries. Police determined that Shape was specifically targeted during the attack, which was domestic in nature. Shtopaku and the victim were previously related through marriage but had no current familial ties. Although initially identified as a Monroe resident, it was later confirmed that Shtopaku resides on South Street in Norwalk.

Shtopaku has been formally charged with Murder and is currently being held on a three-million-dollar bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Bridgeport Superior Court. Detectives are continuing the investigation by interviewing family members and witnesses and collecting evidence from the scene. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Trumbull Police Department at (two hundred three) two six one – three six six five.

Three Arrested After Taxi Driver Assaulted at Norwalk CITGO

Norwalk, CT – April 24, 2025 – At 11:46 PM Thursday night, Norwalk Police responded to the CITGO gas station at 128 Connecticut Avenue after receiving reports that a taxi driver had been assaulted by three individuals.

When officers arrived on scene, they separated the involved parties and began their investigation. The taxi driver had suffered lacerations to the left side of his face after being punched and struck with a gas station squeegee. Medical aid was requested.

According to police, the suspects refused to pay their cab fare, assaulted the driver, and stole personal items from the taxi. Surveillance footage and witness accounts supported the claims.

The suspects were placed under arrest, but one of them, Lance Harris, 21, of Bronx, NY, became combative while being transported. Harris kicked the inside of the police cruiser, broke off part of the partition, and used it to strike the window. Officers struggled to remove the object from Harris, during which one officer sustained abrasions to his forearm. Harris also spit on another officer’s outer vest carrier.

After arriving at the holding facility, Harris reportedly damaged two separate security cameras in different cells, requiring officers to relocate him multiple times.

Arrested:
🔹 Lance Harris, 21, of 450 East 169 St, Bronx, NY
Charges: Two counts of assaulting a police officer, interfering with a police officer, assault 3rd degree, criminal mischief 1st degree, and breach of peace 2nd degree
Bond: $50,000
Court Date: May 12, 2025

🔹 Christophe Bunting, 23, of 380 East Main St, Apt 5F, Stamford, CT
Charges: Assault 3rd degree and breach of peace 2nd degree
Bond: $10,000
Court Date: May 12, 2025

🔹 Cory Hampton, 19, of 2614 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY
Charges: Assault 3rd degree, breach of peace 2nd degree, and larceny 6th degree
Bond: $20,000
Court Date: May 12, 2025

Ansonia Street Takeover

A large crowd of 50 to 100 people and several dozen cars took over the intersection of Wakelee Avenue and Franklin Street in Ansonia early Saturday morning, with some damaging a police car when an officer arrived. The crowd dispersed once more officers responded, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

From the Ansonia Police:

On April 26, 2025 at about 12:25 A.M., the Ansonia Police Department received multiple reports of a possible street takeover and fireworks being shot off at the intersection of Wakelee Avenue and Franklin Street. The first officer on scene encountered a between 50 and 100 people in the street with several dozen cars in the road, some of which were driving erratically. A group approached the officer’s car, with at least one of them jumping onto the hood of the police car while the others started to surround it. The officer attempted to back away and struck a car that was parked. The group continued to advance on the officer and began to throw objects at his car, damaging the car. Once more police officers arrived the crowd dispersed entering Route 8 going both north and south. No one was injured in the incident. The investigation is ongoing and we have begun to identify suspects. There is a video circulating on social meeting depicting some of the incident, we ask that you do not share or re-post the video as it gives groups like this the social media recognition they are trying to gain.

Trumbull Police Update on Assault

Trumbull Officers are on the scene of a serious assault that occurred this afternoon at the Ten Trumbull apartment complex on Oakview Drive. Preliminary reports indicate a domestic related incident, and the responsible person was taken into custody by responding Officers. Residents can expect to see Police on scene for an extended period of time. There is no ongoing threat to the public at this time.