DoingItLocal

At ten minutes before 2pm the Best Nail Salon at 3129 Main Street (Next to Lupes Drug Store) was armed with a handgun.  Five women as well as a 9 year old girl were robbed of their purses.  Police are looking for a white or  Hispanic male,  5’ 10” medium built wearing a black hoodie gray baggie pants who fled on foot south on Main Street.    If you have any information please contact the Bridgeport Police at 203-581-5201.  All Calls will be confidential.

A U.S. congressman is urging President Obama to recognize the work of enslaved African-Americans who helped build the White House.  “Slaves helped dig the foundation for the White House,” Ackerman wrote in correspondence to the White House Thursday. “They quarried stone that would be used for the walls, dug up clay for thousands of bricks, cut timber, sawed lumber, and performed carpentry inside the White House.  Read full story….

The US Senate bailed out its own barbershop after it ran nearly $300,000 in the red last year—despite $27 cut-and-blow-drys, $105 highlight jobs, and 27,000 annual customers.   Capitol’s four barbers and stylists made $22,000 to $30,000 last year with no benefits, manager Lynn Dang said. At the Senate barbershop, formally called Senate Hair Care Services, the top four barbers and stylists made more than twice that — $54,761; $70,349; $73,658; and $81,641 — plus they have a generous 401(k) plan, health care and paid vacation. In all, the government contributed $230,000 in benefits for the barbershop, said Eve Goldsher, a spokeswoman for the Senate Appropriations Committee.  Read full story…….

The American multinational corporation, Apple, stands accused of hiking up the prices of their Whitney Houston iTunes collections right on the heels of her untimely death, according to the UK’s Digital Spy.  Apple’s price increases took place in the space of just 30 minutes after Houston’s death, but further reports indicate that label Sony Music is actually responsible for the hike.  Read full story……

The Greek parliament approved a deeply unpopular austerity bill to secure a second EU/IMF bailout and avoid national bankruptcy, as buildings burned across central Athens and violence spread around the country.  Cinemas, cafes, shops and banks were set ablaze in central Athens as black-masked protesters fought riot police outside parliament.  Read full story……….

While responding to a threatening incident (subject with a knife), Sgt. Edward Weihe was involved in a motor vehicle accident on I-95 s/b near exit 21. Both Sgt.  Weihe and another involved person were transported to St. Vincent’s ER. Their injuries were  not serious. Sgt. Weihe was treated and released. The status of the other operator is unknown at this time.  The accident occurred at 8:20pm Sunday night.

Stratford firefighters were busy again Saturday. As we were first to report at 1:30pm firefighters raced to 275 Johnson Avenue for a fire that started in the basement and extended into the first floor. Two hand lines were stretched to fight the fire. No firefighters were injured but two cats died of smoke inhalation. Milford Fire Department provided mutual aid to cover the town while Stratford fire remained busy fighting this one.

Whitney Houston, the iconic American singer whose battles with drugs, alcohol and ex-husband Bobby Brown marred her star power, has died. She was 48.  Houston’s publicist confirmed the singer’s death to ABC News. The cause of death is not yet known.  Read full story……….

The Stratford Arts Guild will hold an Art in the Studio sale and exhibit Sunday, February 12, 2012, from 1 to 4 p.m., at Roger Salls Photography Studio, 80 Ferry Blvd., Suite 106.  There is open to the public and there is no charge. Enjoy fine art, wine and cheese!

Service Dog “Lola” from its ranks. Lola is an all-black German Shepherd, and is trained in patrol
work, tracking, and narcotic detection. After 10 years of service, and over 1000 arrests to her credit, Lola will be ending her service for the town of Westport and its citizens.

Lola first joined the police department in 2002 and was handled by then Officer Foti Koskinas until his promotion in 2007. Officer Marc Heinmiller then took over the responsibilities as handler and caretaker of Lola until her retirement in January of this year. Lola leaves behind a legacy that includes: numerous drug seizures, criminal apprehensions, the finding of the lost or missing, and
the relationships she has made with many of the youth in town who have attended one of her
many public demonstrations.

Some highlights of her career include:

In 2003, Lola assisted the Fairfield Police department in locating a suicidal male in the
area of Lake Mohegan. Lola started the search from the man’s vehicle and tracked to his
location along the edge of the lake.
A year later, Lola located a burglary suspect who had broken the windows to a residence,
and fled on foot. He was located by Lola hiding in the back seat of an unlocked vehicle
several streets away.
Tens of Thousands of dollars in cash seizures and several vehicles seized in association with
narcotic enforcement. Recently, $3,200 was seized assisting the Connecticut State Police in
a drug search on a motor vehicle stop.

Recently her services were requested by the Wilton Police Department after a suspect with
a felony warrant ran from officers. A track done by Lola led officers to a wooded area. Lola
alerted on the area and began barking. The suspect stood up several feet from the officers
and gave up with without any aggression, or combative behavior towards officers.

Often, Lola’s mere presence was enough to cause the most violent offender to become passive and
submit to officers without violence. Conversely, Lola’s presence in front of the 5th grade students
of the department’s DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program elicited smiles and curiosity.
Lola would demonstrate for the kids how she would search for drugs, and show how well trained
she is at obedience.

Lola will retire to Officer Marc Heinmiller’s home, and live out her days enjoying her family there.

The Police Department recognizes the importance of having a Patrol Dog for the town of Westport,
and quickly wants to get a new dog up and running. The Westport Police K-9 Unit is primarily run
off donations from the community, and would not be in existence if it were not for the generous
support of a number of benefactors.

Dr. Joan Poster of Poster Animal Hospital has been providing all medical care, preventatives,
medications, vaccines, etc… for the police dogs at no charge. She works with others,
including Bill Mitchell from “Mitchells of Westport,” to make sure all the food costs
associated with the Police Dogs is at no cost as well.
Joy Dunlop, from The Hazel – Dell foundation had been a longtime supporter of our unit
until her passing recently. Her annual donations helped get equipment and training for the
Unit.  John Mancinelli from Earth Animal of Westport has spearheaded our fundraising program
this year.

Even with the support we are getting, we still need more help. The costs associated with the
purchase of a new police dog can be close to $10,000. The WPD K9 unit had set fundraising goals
to pay for the new dog, as well as new equipment to protect the investment. We are asking
for the community’s help to meet these goals. For more information on the WPD K9 Unit go to

www.westportct.gov. Look for Specialized Units under the police department page.

We are now in the process of looking at dogs for selection and training. These dogs are bred for
police work, and come with some amount of training already. The only thing they do not come
with is a name. For the first time, we are inviting the youngsters of our community to come up
with a name for the new police dog. “Name drop boxes” will be placed at Earth Animal, 606 Post
Road East (across from fresh market), and the Westport Police Department Lobby. Please submit
one male name, and one female name in the box. If your name is chosen, you and the police dog
will have your picture professionally taken together, and framed. One picture will be provided
to you, and one will be hung inside the Westport Police Department. You will also receive a
certificate from the Chief of Police.

If you wish to support the K9 Unit, please make your donations to:
The Westport Police K9 Unit
50 Jesup Rd
Westport CT, 06880