Police, Westport Officials To Hold Public Forum On Public Safety

WESTPORT, CT — In light of Sunday's violent carjacking, the Westport Police Department and First Selectwoman Jen Tooker will host a Public Forum on Public Safety at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in the Town Hall Auditorium.

The forum will focus on car thefts, vehicle break-ins and the recent carjacking incident, in which a Bayberry Lane resident was beaten and his Aston Martin convertible stolen by a pair of assailants. The victim suffered minor injuries but did not require medical treatment.

Westport and other Fairfield County communities continues to experience vehicle thefts, but before Sunday, they rarely escalated to violence.

As of Monday afternoon, the Aston Martin, which was last seen traveling north on Route 8, had not been recovered.

Police Chief Foti Koskinas will lead a discussion Wednesday focusing on the safety concerns voiced by members of our community. Koskinas and members of the department's command staff will present the ongoing work of the Regional Auto Theft Task Force that was formed due to the increased car thefts and vehicle break-ins in the area.

Special attention will be given to police practices that are utilized to combat the theft of vehicles.

Additionally, the forum will provide information and instructions to increase situational awareness and help our community avoid being victims of these crimes.

"We hope to see everyone Wednesday at this important and informative meeting," authorities said.