Category: Fairfield

#Fairfield CT– On January 23, we held a SantaCon Community Conversation as a step forward in resolving residents’ frustrations with beach parties heavily attended by college students. More than 100 residents attended the meeting to share suggestions, frustrations, and ideas with a panel that included the Town’s Police, Fire, and Health Departments as well as Fairfield University and the Lantern Point Association. Since that time, discussions have continued with Town Departments, the University and landlords.

The objectives set by the stakeholders in those discussions include minimizing the impact on the environment due to trash generated by these events, and reducing the problems caused by public intoxication. We are resolved as a community to stop the post-party environmental damage to the beach and the Sound, as well as safety concerns for the students and others on the beach at that time.

On Saturday, March 16, Sham Jam will be hosted by the Seagrape Cafe and Fairfield University student organization B.R.O. This party will take place between inside the Seagrape, 1144 Reef Road, and on their tented parking lot between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The Seagrape advertises this as a pre-ticketed, QR-coded, Senior-only event, for students 21 years or older with valid ID. Per the Fire Marshall, capacity is capped at 535 people, inside and outside. The Seagrape will have five to seven private security personnel stationed onsite for the event.

Actions by the Town:

A snow fence will be installed on the beach side of Lantern Point to curtail trash washing into the Sound and to deter unwanted guests.

30 trash barrels have been placed in the vicinity to encourage personal responsibility. Parks and Rec staff will be emptying them throughout the day.

Police will maintain a visible and substantial presence in the area with a focus on crowd management, pedestrian safety, and curtailing illegal activity.

Parks and Rec has designated the Penfield Beach overflow parking lots as Uber drop-off and pick-up zones.

Actions by the University:

Fairfield University has contracted with a private trash collection company to clean up the beachfront area near Lantern Point from 5 to 8 p.m.

A volunteer student team will perform additional clean-up Sunday morning.

Actions by the Lantern Point Association

LPA has contracted with a cleaning company that will be on the beach Sunday morning.

Following the SantaCon debacle with bags of trash collected the morning after the party, and more trash taken out into the Sound by the tides, it is our intention that students treat our beautiful beaches with more respect, and properly discard their cans, bottles and cups in the receptacles provided.

In case of safety concerns for people or property, calls can be placed to the non-emergency police line at 203-254-4800 or 911 for emergencies.

Your thoughts, questions and concerns matter, and I want to hear from you. You can email me at firstselectman@fairfieldct.org.

Bill Gerber

First Selectman

2024-03-10@9:39pm–#Fairfield CT-Police and fire are in the 600 block of Villa Avenue for smoking wires on a utility pole. Power is out in the area according to radio reports.

Police said on Friday, that the person initially thought to be the victim, a woman, was actually the aggressor in the situation. She was chasing after a man who was trying to leave the area of Villa Place/Villa Avenue. As he drove away, his vehicle reportedly ran over her foot. The woman was arrested and charged with Criminal Mischief (CGS 53a-117) and Breach of Peace (CGS 53a-181). The man was arrested and charged with Evading Responsibility (CGS 14-224). Both are considered victims in this case, so their names and identifying information cannot be disclosed at this time

Police are looking for a white Ford van with New York plates that fired at a car on I-95 northbound near exit 19. Fairfield Police assisting the car shot at. No shell casings nor damage to the car were found. Police are still looking for the van.

On March 3, 2024, at approximately 3:00 PM, the Fairfield Police Department received a request for a welfare check on a resident of Longdean Road in Fairfield.  The subject did not show up to work and was not answering calls from the employer which prompted a call to police. Upon arrival at the home, Officers located a note indicating that the subject could be found in the garage.  While on scene, Officers then heard a gunshot come from the area of the garage and began to setup a perimeter around the house and secure the area.  The Town’s Emergency Alert System was activated notifying residents in the area of the active investigation and advising them to remain inside while police continued to secure the area. The Fairfield Police Department Emergency Services Unit responded and safely cleared the home, locating the subject deceased within the garage. At this time, the identity of the subject is being withheld pending notification to next of kin.

Police are sorting a one car crash with injuries on Crane Street in Fairfield.

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Report of a crash on Brooklawn Ave and ANOTHER in the parking lot at TJ Maxx. No word at this time on injuries.

2024-02-23@7:18pm–#Fairfield CT– Firefighters were called to Tomlinson Middle School For an activated alarm. Firefighters found smoke and called for additional resources to the scene. Firefighters discovered it was a motor that raises and lowers a basketball hoop.

2024-02-23@1:26pm–#Fairfield CT– A realtor holding an open house on Clinton Street called police to report that another realtor and their client were snooping through the medicine cabinet in the bathroom.

Following the initial arrest of Peter Wheeler, Jr. on January 23, 2024, the Fairfield Police Department continued its investigation into potential criminal activities involving Wheeler. During the course of this ongoing investigation, detectives uncovered information indicating the possible victimization of two juveniles.

During the investigation, detectives discovered that Wheeler had been in contact with a juvenile male high school student through electronic means. This communication, which included text messages, phone calls, and social media interactions, occurred between late 2022 and late 2023. While text and photographs were exchanged, contact between Wheeler and the juvenile had been severed prior to the start of this investigation. An arrest warrant was submitted seeking to charge Wheeler with Risk of Injury/Impairing the Morals of Children (C.G.S. 53-21).

The investigation further revealed potential inappropriate contact between Wheeler and an elementary-school-aged female student. A forensic interview was conducted with the victim, leading detectives to submit an arrest warrant application seeking to charge Wheeler with Sexual Assault in the 4th Degree (C.G.S. 53a-73a) and Risk of Injury/Impairing the Morals of Children (C.G.S. 53-21).

On February 20, 2024, both arrest warrants were reviewed and signed by a Bridgeport Superior Court judge. Peter Wheeler, Jr. (DOB 01/30/2000) of Fairfield, CT was subsequently arrested and charged with:

• Risk of Injury/Impairing the Morals of Children (C.G.S. 53-21) – 2 Counts
• Sexual Assault in the 4th Degree (C.G.S. 53a-73a) – 1 count

He is scheduled to appear at Bridgeport Superior Court on 2/21/2024 and is currently being held on a total of $350,000 in court-set bonds.

The Fairfield Police Department continues to actively collaborate with the Fairfield Public School system and has maintained continuous communication throughout the investigation. Parents and caregivers concerned about potential contact with Wheeler are urged to reach out to the Fairfield Police Investigative Division at (203) 254-4840.

The Fairfield Police Department remains committed to the safety and well-being of our residents, particularly our children. The recent developments have undoubtedly stirred profound emotions within our community. We understand the impact this may have on students and parents alike, and as such, we encourage students and parents to utilize the available resources within the schools and the broader community.

We are dedicated to thoroughly addressing any actions that pose a threat to our community, especially when involving individuals in positions of trust. Our collaboration with the Fairfield Public Schools is crucial, and we continue to uphold the highest standards of accountability and transparency throughout this investigation. The emotional impact on our community is forefront in our minds, and we stand united as community partners to support anyone in need during this difficult time.

Additionally, please know that the privacy of any victims is paramount, and information that may lead or allude to their identification cannot be released.