Government

New Canaan Police: Stolen Vehicles More Than Doubled in 2024

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The number of vehicles stolen from New Canaan more than doubled in 2024, officials say. Stolen vehicles increased from 17 to 40 year-over-year, according to Police Chief John DiFederico. The figures represent a 135% rise. “It was not a good year for vehicles,” he told members of the Police Commission during their regular meeting, held Wednesday night at Town Hall and via videoconference. The nature of the thefts appears to be changing in a dangerous way, DiFederico said.

Government

Police: Speed Enforcement Won’t Solve Mill Road Problems

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Most motorists are traveling at reasonable speeds on Mill Road, according to new data released by the Police Department, meaning a perceived public safety issue on the residential street cannot be solved by radar enforcement alone. Residents about two months ago raised concerns to the Police Commission about speeding motorists zipping by pedestrians and others on the narrow, windy road in southeastern New Canaan. The department followed up by gathering data on driver volume and speed over about two months, getting consistent results, according to Police Deputy Chief Andrew Walsh. 

The 85th percentile of motorists on Mill—a data point that traffic consultants view as indicative of overall speeds—travelled at about 28 mph at last count, while the maximum speed on the road was 45 mph, Walsh told members of the Police Commission at their Nov. 21 meeting. “In looking at it, it seems to be less of an enforcement possibility to be dealt with,” Walsh said at the meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. 

He continued: “We had our officer set up a few times, and to no result. The speeds are spread out.

News

‘People Could Have Been Killed’: Mill Road Residents Voice Concerns about Speeding Motorists

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Residents of Mill Road on the eastern side of town say speeding motorists are a major hazard for the many young families that walk and cycle in the area. 

Saying it’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or worse, residents are calling for the town to implement traffic calming measures on Mill, a narrow roadway of 31 homes that runs east off of Silvermine Road and then hooks to follow the river toward Norwalk. 

“Ever since we’ve moved in there, the level of speeding is unbelievable,” Neil McMorrow told members of the Police Commission at their Sept. 18 meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. “The volume of traffic when we first moved in was not that great. And maybe in 2015 or ‘16, I contacted New Canaan Police, I have contacted Norwalk [Police]. New Canaan put a solar[-powered] speed [sentry]—unfortunately, under a tree canopy, so it really didn’t work.

Hardesty & Hanover

Officials Weigh Possible Third Stop Sign at 106-Carter Street Intersection

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The New Canaanite 2024 Summer Internship Program is sponsored by Karp Associates. Motorists are speeding along a busy stretch of Route 106 in New Canaan and officials now are looking at possibly adding a stop sign to an already complicated intersection. During the July 17 meeting of the Police Commission, a representative of New-Haven-based Hardesty & Hanover presented officials with various ideas to remedy the skewed intersection of Carter Street, state Route 106 or Silvermine Road, and Canoe Hill Road. After hearing numerous proposals for possible solutions, Police Chief John DiFederico questioned why the traffic consultant had not considered placing a single stop sign in the westbound direction of the intersection – creating a three-way stop. Veronica Prezioso of Hardesty & Hanover said she thought this was a “good point” and that she would have to further “look into it.” 

She told town officials at the meeting—held at Town Hall and via videoconference— that the addition of the third stop sign could be a viable solution but added that it would invite more signage earlier on, likely with blinking lights to indicate to drivers that there would be a stop. 

DiFederico noted that it was a much cheaper solution and could be implemented much quicker. 

Director of Public Works Tiger Mann said that officials had already looked into a four-way stop at the intersection and even the installation of a traffic light, but those ideas were vetoed earlier on.

Government

Police Commission Discusses Traffic Woes at Gerdes, Conrad

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The New Canaanite 2024 Summer Internship Program is sponsored by Karp Associates. Traffic engineers say the motor vehicle backup and speeding problems that New Canaanites are seeing in the “South of the Y” neighborhood during commuter hours are due to two main issues. The town has been grappling with backed-up vehicles on Gerdes Road, and a related problem of speeding on Conrad Road, for more than one year. In the morning, especially, southbound Merritt Parkway commuters are skirting traffic between exits 38 and 37 as directed by navigation apps such as Waze and Google Maps. Drivers either queue up for the Gerdes Road/South Avenue light to re-enter the Merritt at exit 37, or else swing out wider to Conrad and Whiffle Tree Roads, officials have said.