WESTPORT, CT – Effective immediately, Westport Fire Marshal/Open Burning Official
Terrence Dunn has banned all outside burning until further notice due to extremely dry
conditions. The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for the entire state.
Fire Marshal Dunn said, “This ban includes all recreational campfires and fire pits. Please
recognize that brush fires will spread rapidly possibly threatening homes and property. Do not try to self-extinguish and call 911 immediately.”
A Red Flag Warning means warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger.
#Westport CT– On February 2 nd, 2022 at approximately 4:40 am, an officer on routine patrol discovered a forced entry burglary at Riverside Sunoco (240 Riverside Ave). Further investigation revealed that the glass in the front door was smashed, and entry was gained. Tobacco products appeared to be the target of the burglary as vaping devices and cigarettes were the majority of items stolen. The total loss reported by the victim was approximately $3,600. The investigation was turned over to the Detective Bureau. The investigating detective processed the scene to include DNA swabs of evidence left on the scene. Recovered in Bridgeport on February 16 th 2023 was a stolen vehicle that matched the description of the vehicle seen on surveillance at the burglary. A search of that vehicle uncovered items stolen from the burglary. Using surveillance footage and DNA evidence, Thomas Moccaie was developed as a suspect who allegedly committed the burglary.
A warrant was issued and on May 1st, Mr. Moccaie was arrested at Stamford Superior Court and charged with the above crimes. He was held on a court-set bond of 50,000.
#Westport CT–The Westport Fire Companies from Saugatuck Station 4 and Headquarters went to a reported car crash on Interstate 95 south between exits 17 and 16 at 3:11 in the morning. Engine 4 got there and saw that there was only one car in the accident and it was in the left lane. Engine 4 said that the person in the car was trapped and needed to be freed. The firefighters used special tools to free the trapped person. The Westport EMS took the person to a nearby hospital, but we don’t know how badly they were hurt.
The CT State Police said that a tire from another car hit the moving car and broke off most of its roof. The police are still investigating the accident.
(Westport, CT) – On Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 10:00am to 2:00pm, the Westport Police Department will again partner with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration for the twenty-fourth National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The event will be held at the Westport Center for Senior Activities located at 21 Imperial Avenue. According to a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the majority of people who misused a prescription medication obtained the medicine from a family member or friend. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that last year, more than 93,000 people died of drug overdoses in the United States, marking the largest number of drug-related deaths ever recorded in a year. In the words of DEA Administrator Anne Milgram, “Take Back Day is a critical effort to curb the historic surge in U.S. overdoses. We know prevention starts at home. The simple step of clearing out medications that are no longer needed makes our homes safer, prevents prescription drug misuse, and, ultimately, can help save lives.” In partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has removed more than 8,300 tons of medication from circulation since its inception. Please join the Westport Police Department in doing our part to help continue the success of this vital initiative. Please note that collection sites cannot accept illicit drugs, needles, or sharps, only pills or patches. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage. Vape pens where the batteries can be removed, can be disposed of at the drug take back. Vape pens where batteries cannot be removed will not be accepted at the drug take back. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Residents are also reminded that a year-round collection bin is installed in the lobby of Westport police headquarters, where prescription drugs can be properly disposed of at any time rather than waiting for designated collection dates. For those seeking more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 22nd Take Back Day event, visit https://takebackday.dea.gov/
Saturday, April 22 at Greens Farms Railroad Station
Westport, CT –The Department of Public Works is holding its annual Household Hazardous Waste Day:
Saturday, April 22, 2023 RAIN or SHINE
9am – 2pm
Greens Farms Railroad Station, Parking Lot #1, New Creek Road, Westport CT
(Located between I-95 and Metro-North Railroad tracks)
Household Hazardous Waste Day is a NO CHARGE regional program for residents of Westport, Norwalk, New Canaan, Darien, Stamford, and Greenwich to safely dispose of their household hazardous wastes. Products such as cleaners, gasoline and pesticides can pollute the environment and jeopardize public health when they are disposed of improperly and enter our land or water.
Before bringing household hazardous material to the collection site:
Make sure items are clearly labeled and NEVER MIX CHEMICALS. Incompatible products may react, ignite, or explode, and mixed waste may become non-recyclable.
Keep products in original labeled container.
Place leaky containers in clear plastic bags.
Tighten lids of all containers and pack items in sturdy cardboard boxes lined with paper.
Put boxes in the trunk or in the back of the vehicle away from passengers.
Leave pets and children home when bringing hazardous materials for collection.
Keep your windows open and drive directly to the collection site.
Residents must remain in their vehicles during collection.
Residents are asked to be patient, as this is the first HHW Day of 2022, and lines may be longer, due to greater number of participants and larger quantities of materials per vehicle.
Do not smoke or eat while handling hazardous materials.
REMINDER: Westport residents may recycle: antifreeze, motor oil, batteries of any type, light bulbs, and electronics at the Westport Transfer Station, 300 Sherwood Island Connector, Monday-Friday 7:00 am – 2:30 pm, Saturday 7:00 am – 12:00 pm.
The following items are NOT acceptable: AMMUNITION, FLARES, and COMMERCIAL HAZARDOUS WASTE.
If you have any questions, contact the Westport Public Works Department at 203-341-1793.
This press release was made possible by:
2023 HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY
Saturday, April 22 at Greens Farms Railroad Station
Westport, CT –The Department of Public Works is holding its annual Household Hazardous Waste Day:
Saturday, April 22, 2023 RAIN or SHINE
9am – 2pm
Greens Farms Railroad Station, Parking Lot #1, New Creek Road, Westport CT
(Located between I-95 and Metro-North Railroad tracks)
Household Hazardous Waste Day is a NO CHARGE regional program for residents of Westport, Norwalk, New Canaan, Darien, Stamford, and Greenwich to safely dispose of their household hazardous wastes. Products such as cleaners, gasoline and pesticides can pollute the environment and jeopardize public health when they are disposed of improperly and enter our land or water.
Before bringing household hazardous material to the collection site:
Make sure items are clearly labeled and NEVER MIX CHEMICALS. Incompatible products may react, ignite, or explode, and mixed waste may become non-recyclable.
Keep products in original labeled container.
Place leaky containers in clear plastic bags.
Tighten lids of all containers and pack items in sturdy cardboard boxes lined with paper.
Put boxes in the trunk or in the back of the vehicle away from passengers.
Leave pets and children home when bringing hazardous materials for collection.
Keep your windows open and drive directly to the collection site.
Residents must remain in their vehicles during collection.
Residents are asked to be patient, as this is the first HHW Day of 2022, and lines may be longer, due to greater number of participants and larger quantities of materials per vehicle.
Do not smoke or eat while handling hazardous materials.
REMINDER: Westport residents may recycle: antifreeze, motor oil, batteries of any type, light bulbs, and electronics at the Westport Transfer Station, 300 Sherwood Island Connector, Monday-Friday 7:00 am – 2:30 pm, Saturday 7:00 am – 12:00 pm.
The following items are NOT acceptable: AMMUNITION, FLARES, and COMMERCIAL HAZARDOUS WASTE.
If you have any questions, contact the Westport Public Works Department at 203-341-1793.
#Westport CT—On Tuesday, 04/04/23, at approximately 11:39 p.m., Troop G dispatch received a report of an evading motor vehicle accident in a construction zone on Interstate 95 Northbound in the area of Exit 17 in Westport. The caller reported that his vehicle had been struck and so had a truck working in a construction zone. He reported that he was now traveling northbound behind the black Honda which had allegedly evaded the scene.
A responding trooper located the Honda traveling northbound in the left lane in the area of Exit 20 and observed that it was drifting from the median into the center lane, failing to properly maintain a travel lane. The trooper initiated a motor vehicle stop prior to Exit 23 and the Honda came to a stop in the right shoulder. The trooper observed damage to the front of the Honda.
While speaking with the operator of the Honda, positively identified as Jose Ernesto Velazquez-Pastrana, DOB 02/20/1989, of Bridgeport, the trooper detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from Velazquez-Pastrana’s person. When asked, Velazquez-Pastrana verbally admitted to consuming alcohol earlier in the evening and agreed to participate in Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, which were not performed to standard.
Based upon information obtained during the on-scene investigation, Velazquez-Pastrana was taken into custody and transported to Troop G in Bridgeport, where he was processed and charged with the following:
C.G.S. 14-236Z, Failure to Maintain Lane in a Construction Zone
C.G.S. 14-227aZ, Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol, Drugs or Both in a Construction Zone
C.G.S 14-224(b)(3)Z, Evading Responsibility in a Construction Zone
C.G.S. 14-283(e)Z, Failure to Move Over for a Non-Emergency Vehicle in a Construction Zone
Velazquez-Pastrana was later released on a $1000.00 non-surety bond and is scheduled for arraignment on 04/25/2023, at Bridgeport Superior Court.
UPDATE: Errol Whyte, age 62, of Stamford, CT was positively identified as the deceased person found this morning. Mr. Whyte had been missing since December 29 th , 2022 and was the subject of a missing person investigation by Stamford Police Department. Westport Police Detective Bureau will now conduct a death investigation to try and determine the circumstances leading to Mr. Whyte’s death. The Westport Police Department extends
(Westport, CT) On April 3rd, 2023, the Westport Police Department responded to the area of 55/57 Greens Farms Rd on a report of a body floating in a retention pond on the property. Responding units located the party and confirmed that they were deceased. The investigation is currently in its infancy and the identification is being withheld pending notification to the next of kin.
#Westrport CT–On March 28th, 2023, an officer on patrol initiated a traffic stop on Post Rd East near the Fairfield town line. During the course of the stop, the officer determined that the operator, Andre Chin, had an active re-arrest warrant from another jurisdiction. Mr. Chin was taken into custody on the outstanding warrant and transported to Westport Police Department. Mr. Chin was processed and released on a $3000 court-set bond with a court date of April 5th, 2023 at Stamford Superior Court..
(Westport, CT) On March 27th , 2023 at approximately 7:15am the Westport Police Department responded to a residence on a report of a disturbing social media post. The complainant is a student at a local school and felt concerned about going to school based on the content of the post. Responding officers immediately identified the source of the post and working with the School Resource Officer and the Detective Bureau, we were able to identify the person responsible. Working in concert with the schools and our investigators, Officers were sent to each school until we were able to locate the responsible party. By 8:00am, our officers located the responsible party and determined that there was no threat.
