New Canaan Police conducted 695 motor vehicle violation-related stops in the first two months of 2025, officials say—a 48% rise from the same period last year.
The dramatic increase is “good to see,” Police Chief John DiFederico said Wednesday night while reviewing the department’s monthly statistics with the Police Commission during its regular meeting.
“Our officers are very active out there, stopping cars, which is very good to deter the other criminals coming into town or at least have a chance to identify some of our criminals who are coming through,” DiFederico said during the meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. “Having high-visibility enforcement is important for us.”
The comments came as New Canaan comes out of a year that saw stolen vehicles more than double—a result of residents leaving keys in unlocked cars. Last month, police detailed the steps that detectives take to make arrests in stolen vehicle cases. (Through the first two months of 2025, New Canaan has had just two stolen vehicles compared to four in the same period last year.)
New Canaan Police conducted 456 motor vehicle violation-related stops in January and 239 in February, compared to 258 and 213, respectively, in 2024, according to data that DiFederico shared at the meeting.
Radar-related stops jumped from 45 in January and February 2024 to 118 in the first two months of this year, according to the data—a 262% increase. New Canaan saw motor vehicle accidents with injuries decline year-over-year through the first two months, from seven in 2024 to just two in 2025, the data show.
Wish we could get some red light cameras. Red lights seem to be considered optional in this town….
But thanks to NCPD for all they do.