Category: Westport

Today’s vehicle fire is being hosted by Westport on I-95 northbound between exits 17 and 18.

2025-09-03@12:09pm– #Westport CT #cttraffic

Westport Police arrested Matthew Berman, 41, of the Bronx, NY in connection with a September 2024 burglary at Longshore Golf Club’s pro shop, where over $12,000 worth of golf clubs and bags were stolen. Berman, identified after a similar arrest in New York, turned himself in on August 21, 2025, and was charged with Burglary 3rd Degree, Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree, and Larceny 2nd Degree; he was held on a $100,000 bond and arraigned at Stamford Superior Court.

Westport, CT – The Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments announced today that the Sherwood Mill Cove Tide Gate Project is scheduled to begin shortly after Labor Day and will continue through Memorial Day 2026. The scheduled work includes the repair of two tide gates and a spillway, reconstruction of a wooden pier and four short sections of seawalls, as well as repair of the longer seawall sections.

During construction, portions of two municipal parking lots will be used for staging equipment and materials. Residents and visitors should be aware of the following temporary impacts:

Old Mill Parking Lot – 10 spaces will be unavailable.

Soundview Parking Lot – 20 spaces will be unavailable.

The Town of Westport appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation as this important infrastructure project is completed. The work is being conducted in coordination with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

Questions regarding the project should be directed at the Westport Department of Public Works.

Questions regarding beach operations and parking should be directed to the Parks and Recreation Department.

Additional updates will be shared as the project progresses.

(Westport, CT) The Westport Police Department announces the upcoming closure of Wakeman
Farm Drive for paving operations. This closure will take place on Wednesday, September 3,
2025, from approximately 7:00am to 1:00pm. It will extend from the stretch of roadway beginning
at the intersection with Cross Highway and extending to the area of the baseball fields. This
work area will be completely inaccessible to all traffic and will be unavailable for parking.

Westport, CT – P&Z Department Planner Michael Tartaglia announced today that on Monday, September 8 at 6:00pm, the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission will hold a public meeting to review an §8-24 Municipal Improvement.

Westport Human Services Director Elaine Daignault is seeking a report from the P&Z Commission pursuant to C.G.S. §8-24, Municipal Improvement, related to displaying a public art sculpture in front of the Westport Center for Senior Activities (WCSA) located at 60 Compo Road South. The art will be a painted, welded steel sculpture by artist Carole Eisner entitled “Queen of Hearts.” It will measure 72” H x 487” W x 48” D, and will be displayed north of the WCSA, immediately to the right of the entrance. The sculpture will be displayed for 5 years.

The September 8 public meeting will be held remotely using Zoom, it will be live streamed on the Town’s website at www.westportct.gov, and/or will be accessible on Optimum Government Access Channel 1310. The remote meeting link is published on the meeting agenda available on the Town’s website on the “Meeting List and Calendar” web page.

Written comments may be submitted and should be sent to PandZ@westportct.gov by 12:00pm on the day of the meeting if intended to be distributed for consideration by members of the P&Z Commission. Written comments received after 12:00pm on the day of the meeting will be added to the record but will not be distributed until the next business day. Meeting materials are available at www.westportct.gov, on the P&Z Dept. web page under “P&Z Pending Applications & Recent Approvals.”

(Westport, CT) – Today, Tuesday, August 26, 2025, marks the return to school for Westport students.
The Westport Police Department has already begun and will continue to target traffic violators in
school zones with its annual “Back to School” enforcement and education campaign. Our officers will
be observing traffic for drivers who are using cell phones and speeding in school zones as well as
monitoring bus stops and routes, citing those that disregard school bus signals.
The Westport Police Department is committed to protecting children from motorists who disregard the
traffic safety laws, especially around school zones and bus stops where students congregate. We urge
commuters to allow for extra time, as they will be sharing the roads with school buses making frequent
stops, as well as children who will be walking and/or biking to school. Please remain vigilant around
school zones, bus stops and school buses. Obey the school bus laws of Connecticut, which include
slowing down and preparing to stop for yellow flashing school bus lights and stopping for red flashing
school bus lights.
A list of suggestions for drivers, students and parents is below. Parents are encouraged to discuss
these safety tips with their children and with young or inexperienced drivers in their home.
Drivers:
 When driving in neighborhoods with school zones or backing into a roadway, watch out for
young people who may be distracted.
 Slow down. Watch out for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks
in the neighborhood.
 Be alert! Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
 Learn and obey Connecticut’s school bus laws.
 Learn the “flashing signal light system” used by school bus drivers to alert motorists of
pending actions:

August 26, 2025

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 Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload
children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.
 Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped, and that
children are getting on or off. Motorists on both sides of the roadway must stop their
cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn,
and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.

Children:
 Get to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
 When the bus approaches, stand at least three giant steps (six feet) away from the curb, and
line up away from the street.
 Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says that it is okay before stepping onto
the bus.
 If you must cross the street in front of the bus, walk on the sidewalk or along the side of the
road to a point at least five giant steps (ten feet) ahead of the bus before you cross. Be sure that
the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver.
 Use the handrails to avoid falls. When exiting the bus, be careful that clothing with
drawstrings and book bags with straps are not caught in the handrails or doors.
 Never walk behind the bus.
 Walk at least three giant steps away from the side of the bus.
 If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try to pick it up because the
driver may not be able to see you.
 Follow instructions given by our school crossing guards. Do not cross until they have stopped
traffic completely and have advised it is safe to cross.
We all have a responsibility to make sure children make it to and from school safely. Let’s work
together to have a safe back to school season!

With the first day of school just weeks away, Westport Human Services is calling on the community to support its annual Back-to-School and Afterschool Care Campaign. The initiative ensures local children have the supplies, clothing, and after-school resources they need, with opportunities for donors to contribute through monetary gifts, Walmart gift cards, or items from the department’s Amazon Wishlist.

Donations help provide essential school items and fund after-school scholarships for elementary-aged children, offering safe and enriching activities for working families. Contributions can be made online, in person, or by mail, with drop-offs and check donations accepted at Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Monday through Friday, from 9 AM to 4 PM.

Westport’s Planning & Zoning Department is warning residents about scammers posing as officials and demanding public hearing fees through phone calls, texts, personal emails, or payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, or CashApp. All official fees are paid directly to the Town of Westport using secure methods, and residents should report suspicious requests to Planning & Zoning at 203-341-1030 or the Westport Police non-emergency line at 203-341-6000.

On August 4, 2025, around 4:30 PM, Westport Police received multiple calls reporting individuals attempting to pass counterfeit bills at various businesses throughout town. Witnesses provided accurate descriptions of the suspects and their vehicle, allowing police to locate one suspect inside Choice Pet at 374 Post Road East and the others nearby in the suspect vehicle. Officers determined the group had visited several retail stores in Westport and had allegedly passed numerous counterfeit bills.

As a result, five individuals were arrested:

• Jaquane Murray, 31, of New York, NY, was charged with:
  • 11 counts of Forgery 1st
  • 4 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Forgery 1st
  • 1 count of Risk of Injury to a Minor
  He was released after posting a $30,000 bond and was assigned a court date of August 15, 2025, at Stamford Superior Court.
• Akeelah Garrett, 18, of Bronx, NY, was charged with:
  • 1 count of Forgery 1st
  • 3 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Forgery 1st
  She was unable to post her $20,000 bond and was transported to Stamford Superior Court on August 5, 2025, for arraignment.
• Rosbert Cabrera, 18, of Bronx, NY, was charged with:
  • 1 count of Forgery 1st
  • 2 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Forgery 1st
  He posted a $20,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on August 15, 2025.
• A 15-year-old male from Bronx, NY, was charged with:
  • 4 counts of Forgery 1st
  • 2 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Forgery 1st
  He was issued a juvenile summons and released to a guardian.
• A 17-year-old male from New York, NY, was charged with:
  • 2 counts of Forgery 1st
  • 2 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Forgery 1st
  He was also issued a juvenile summons and released to a guardian.

All five individuals face forgery-related charges, and the investigation into their activity remains ongoing.