Jennifer Leeper

Happy Friday! I know that many of you have seen the deeply disturbing video of the brazen car theft in Westport and are feeling concerned about your safety here in Fairfield. In this week's eblast, I revisit the steps we’ve taken in the legislature over the past several years to curb auto-thefts. There is always more we can do and I have always been eager to hear from you and partner with our local law enforcement.

Below you will also find highlights from Tuesday's special session, the official opening of a new community-built pocket park, and more. You can click on the links below to navigate between sections. 

• Auto-Theft Prevention Bills
• UI Project Proposal Update
• Special Session Highlights
• Community-Built Pocket Park
• Mattress Recycling Event

• Public Act 19-110 - Motor Vehicle Theft or Misuse Diversionary Program and Juvenile Detention - This law allows a minor charged with a delinquency offense involving a motor vehicle to suspend proceedings for up to six months in exchange for completion of services to address any condition or behavior directly related to the offense. The court may dismiss the charges if it finds the child successfully completed treatment or services. The suspension can only be granted based on certain conditions, including the severity of the crime and the child's criminal history.
• Public Act 21-33 - Enticing a Juvenile to Commit a Criminal Act - This law makes it a crime to "entice a juvenile to commit a criminal act." This law is not explicitly related to auto-theft, but enticing a juvenile to steal a car is a crime under this law.
• Public Act 22-26 - Next Day Arraignment and Juvenile Records - This law requires that when a child is arrested for a motor vehicle or firearms offense, the arraignment must be scheduled for the next businesses day following the date the child was arrested. It also allows juvenile delinquency records to be disclosed to law enforcement officials and prosecutors seeking an order to detain a child.
• Public Act 22-43 - Catalytic Converters - This law prohibits anyone other than a motor vehicle recycler or motor vehicle repair shop from selling more than one unattached converter to a scrap metal processor, junk dealer, or junkyard owner or operator in a day. With catalytic converter thefts in Connecticut among the highest in the country, this law seeks to rein in this dangerous black market.
• Public Act 22-115 - GPS Monitoring - This law has several critical aspects. The first is it allows judges to order electronic monitoring of an arrested child who is (1) charged with a second or subsequent motor vehicle or property theft delinquency offense and (2) released into the custody of his or her parent or guardian.
  • The law also requires that law enforcement officials have access to certain juvenile delinquency records for criminal investigations.
  • Finally, PA 22-115 establishes a new penalty structure for larceny of a motor vehicle, which is based on prior convictions rather than the vehicle's value.
• Public Act 22-118 - Funding for Police Departments for Auto Theft Units - This law provides a total of $5.2 million over two years to funding state and local police departments to address auto theft and violence.
• Special Act 23-20 - Catalytic Converter Interstate Agreements and Task Force - This law directs the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and the Department of Motor Vehicles commissioners to pursue, individually or jointly, agreements with other states to create a regional approach to addressing catalytic converter theft. The law also creates a task force to study Connecticut's catalytic converter laws, including evaluating the impact from PA 22-43.

I often hear that police officers are not allowed to pursue suspects due to the legislature. The statewide pursuit policy is set by the Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) and not the legislature. I have often shared with our local officers that if they would like changes or clarifications made to that policy the advocacy needs to be to POST and I have expressed my willingness to support their efforts.

I know the above bills will not fully eliminate car thefts, but they are a meaningful step in the right direction. I will continue fighting to make our community and state safer for all residents.

I also hope you'll attend a meeting on the proposal this Sunday, October 1 at 4pm at the Pequot Library. Representatives from the Sasco Creek Neighbors Environment Trust, Inc., Sasquanaug Association, the Southport Conservancy, and the Pequot Library will be there to hear about the proposal. 

You can learn more at empoweringfairfield.org and uirailroadtlineupgrades.com

Connecticut's primary day will now be held during the first week of April. 🗳️

The initiative was the brainchild of Tom Corell, who runs the Town’s Tree Planting Program, and Patrick Monteleone of Harry's Wine & Liquor and they brought in the town, the Fairfield Parks & Recreation Department, the Sustainable Fairfield Task Force, and design and planting expertise from Oliver Nurseries, all of whom partnered to help make their vision a reality.

It is just the very best example of individuals coming together to making a part of our community even better, more beautiful, and more sustainable. If you haven’t taken a stroll through this park or sat on a bench and enjoyed a cup of coffee here, I hope you will! 🪻

If you have an old mattress or box spring that you’d like to discard in a better, more environmentally friendly way, plan on bringing it to this free event.

Any mattress, no matter when it was purchased, can be brought to the event for no-cost recycling, if it is not damaged, heavily soiled or posing other health or safety risks.