Majority Party Soft on Crime

In Ridgefield there have been recent increases in Juvenile car thefts. From the Library, peoples’ driveways and garages in broad daylight. A carjacking at Valero’s where they stole the vehicle, the driver’s wallet right out of her hands and drove off. There is no accountability for Juveniles as their records get wiped clean when they turn 18. What started in Wilton was originally thought of as a child abduction case that ended in a stolen car crashing into a pickup truck on Catoonah Street. Then a foot chase through neighborhood properties. Police are not allowed to car chase criminals, so Ridgefield Police had to head them off. The Republicans have repeatedly proposed to expand the Victim’s Compensation Program to include victims’ car thefts and property theft/damage, to be eligible for reimbursement regardless of whether an arrest was made. The majority failed to act in 2022, 2023, and 2024. A robbery in our town Home Goods store. A wallet was lifted by one person while another distracted the victim.

The majority refuses to hold these criminals responsible for their actions. For example, they decreased the maximum sentence for serious misdemeanors to 364 days which shields non-citizens from federal deportation. During a special session in July 2020, Democrats passed Public Act 20-1, An Act Concerning Police Accountability which expanded criminal and civil liability of officers, and undermined officer safety and morale. The results are decreased applications for officers and increased retirements. Decreased arrests and increased crimes. We deserve better. Ridgefield deserves better. Ridgefield first responders deserve better safety and the ability to fully protect our community. Our state representatives pass laws without even discussing the effects they would have on Ridgefield, with our local authorities.

We need common sense laws. We need new representation.