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Police: Motor Vehicle Violation-Related Stops Up 48% in 2025

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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.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ? [UPDATED]

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[Note: This post has been updated with a new location for the Silver Hill security discussion.]

New Canaan Police are investigating the theft of $875 of items from Togs on South Avenue, reported at 3:19 p.m. Sunday. 

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The grand opening of Fred Astaire Dance Studios New Canaan on Main Street will be held 3 to 6 p.m. next Friday, March 28: prizes, mini-workshop, group dancing, special show. (Here’s Laura Ault’s “Who Knew?” column on the studio.)

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Police at 11:17 p.m. on March 6 received a report of a residential burglary on Weed Street. Access had been gained by breaking a window. The investigation is active. ***

Tickets are available for The Glass House’s 2025 tour season, opening April 17.

News

Les Sheppard, 84

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Leslie Davis Sheppard, 84, of New Canaan, CT, passed away on March 7, 2025, after a brief illness. Leslie (Les) was a global pioneer in direct marketing as the Chairman & CEO of Wunderman International in London, and as General Manager, Direct, UK for Ogilvy & Mather in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Upon returning from London, he continued his distinguished career in Boston, Naples, FL, Pasadena, Ca and New Canaan, CT focusing on direct marketing and consulting until his death. Les was born in East Orange, NJ, to the late Merrill Davis Sheppard and Dorothy Helen Richards on November 12, 1940. He grew up in Roselle Park and graduated from John Jay High School.

News

PHOTOS: Merritt Parkway Car Fire Sparks Brush Fire Near Waveny

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New Canaan firefighters on Wednesday afternoon put out a fully involved car fire on the Merritt Parkway. No one was injured in the motor vehicle fire on the southbound Exit 36/Old Stamford Road off-ramp, reported to the New Canaan Fire Department at 2:30 p.m., according to a press release issued by Fire Chief Albe Bassett. “The driver was able to get out of the car unharmed,” Bassett said in the press release. “Connecticut State Police reported that the vehicle fire also started a brush fire on the Merritt Parkway southbound. The brush fire extended up the embankment into the woods behind the leaf compost site on Lapham Road.”

New Canaan Firefighters used multiple hose lines from the Merritt and compost site to extinguish about one acre of brush, the chief said.

Business

‘Carpet Trends’ Seeks P&Z Approval Ahead of Spring Opening on Main Street

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A family-owned business moving into a long-vacant commercial space in downtown New Canaan is seeking formal permission from the Planning & Zoning Commission to provide its residential and commercial flooring and related services. Carpet Trends is planning to open a satellite showroom at 97 Main St. next month. The former Garelick & Herbs space has been vacant for about eight years. Under the New Canaan Zoning Regulations, P&Z site plan approval is required for retail businesses with a gross first-floor area of less than 5,000 square feet operating in the Retail A Zone (page 77).