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Police Adding More Cameras to Downtown New Canaan

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New Canaan Police say they’re adding more cameras downtown that will capture car crashes such as the one that stopped traffic at Main and Elm Streets two weeks ago. Specifically, the department is adding more ‘pan tilt zoom’ cameras to downtown streets such as Elm “to document and capture things like what occurred yesterday [Oct. 20],” according to Police Chief John DiFederico. “They’re video camera systems that are better equipped at capturing and documenting events rather than license plate cameras,” DiFederico told members of the Board of Selectmen at their Oct. 21 meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. 

The chief’s comments came during the Board’s discussion before approving a $28,000 annual service contract with an Atlanta-based company for license plate recognition hardware and software.

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‘Dedication, Selflessness and Commitment’: New Canaan Police Department Honors the Late Stuart Sawabini

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Town resident Stuart Sawabini, a dedicated community volunteer who helped guide the renovation and expansion of the New Canaan Police Department and led efforts to improve communications for emergency responders, has died, officials say. NCPD announced Sawabini’s passing Thursday in a press release issued by Chief John DiFederico. A Police Commission member from 2005 to 2018, Sawabini “brought extensive and valuable experience to the department through his service on the town’s Emergency Preparedness Committee, the Community Emergency Response Team, and his deep expertise in information technology,” DiFederico said in the press release. The chief noted that Sawabini “was a strong advocate for improving radio coverage throughout New Canaan.”
“He spearheaded a project that significantly enhanced communication capabilities across the town—an achievement that continues to benefit public safety operations today,” DiFederico said. “He was also a strong proponent of a new police headquarters, providing insightful feedback and technical knowledge that proved invaluable to planning and development efforts.”
Sawabini’s “dedication, selflessness, and commitment to public safety exemplified the very best in civic leadership,” the press release said.

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Police: Residential Burglaries Up in New Canaan in August

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New Canaan Police saw a sharp rise in residential burglaries last month, largely among homes left unattended during summer vacation, officials said Wednesday. Five residential burglaries were reported in August, according to data that Police Chief John DiFederico shared during the regular meeting of the Police Commission, held at the agency’s newly renovated headquarters and via videoconference. “The month of August was a tough month for us,” DiFederico said. 

He continued: “We average about one [burglary] a month, but the month of August was five. We had a rash going through grabbing ladders and hitting second-floor windows. This is probably a good wakeup call for residents that when you’re away for the summer months, please have somebody checking on your house regularly.

News

Op-Ed: Police, Schools Working on E-Bike Safety

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[John DiFederico is chief of the New Canaan Police Department.]

In response to complaints about local juveniles on e-bikes speeding, being reckless and nearly colliding with automobiles, and the increasing number of reports from across the country of life-threatening injuries from e-bike accidents, New Canaan Police continues to address the issue in our community. It has been about a year-and-a-half since our patrol officers and Community Impact Officer started working directly with the community to inform them about proper use of electric bicycles and scooters on our local streets. Our efforts have not let up. Our public relations campaign, which started in April 2024, continues in local news media, Town information outlets and social media. Further, we are now collaborating with New Canaan Public Schools where administrators are working with middle school students to develop a multi-media program to get the word out to youth e-bike riders about safe and proper use of e-bikes on our roads.

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‘An Exceptional Level of Commitment’: NCPD Honors Officers, Citizens

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[The NewCanaanite.com Summer Internship Program is sponsored by Karp Associates.]

The New Canaan Police Department honored 12 officers, two sergeants and two lieutenants in an awards ceremony, held Thursday morning inside the agency’s newly renovated headquarters. Town residents who helped in some incidents were also presented with awards. 

The Police Department gave out seven awards in total, including Unit Citation awards, Firearm Proficiency awards, Physical Fitness awards, Medical Awards, Meritorious Duty awards, the Civilian Award of Excellence, and the prestigious Stephen W. Wood Officer of the Year Award. 

Lt. Jason Ferraro, Sgt. Thomas Callinan and Officers Jeffrey Pollock, Matthew Marzano, Robert Rizzitelli, Annamaria Ceci, Nicholas Rienzi and Mairee Castro were presented the Unit Citation awards, Police Chief John DiFederico said at the awards ceremony, held in the training room at NCPD. 

“I am pleased to acknowledge your exceptional work and efforts during the 3-11 shift on May 24, 2024,” he said. 

DiFederico referred to three incidents where the team aided a male who was going through a mental health crisis, dealt with a juvenile who threatened to harm another and handled a sensitive domestic incident with professionalism and care. 

“Your performance was a testament to your dedication to duty, your capability to work seamlessly as part of a team and your adept application of tactical training in real world scenarios,” the chief said. The department holds award ceremonies periodically for officers doing outstanding work. On Thursday, those in attendance included the families of those receiving awards, several police officers and First Selectman Dionna Carlson and Police Commission Chair Paul Foley.