Westport Police Join Regional Vehicle Theft Task Force

Westport CT

15 September, 2021

3:09 PM

Description

WESTPORT, CT — Westport police announced Wednesday the department will take part in a regional motor vehicle theft task force whose aim is to prevent vehicle thefts in town. In a news release, Police Lt. Dave Wolf said Westport and its surrounding communities experience car thefts and vehicle break-ins on a regular basis, crimes which are often committed by juveniles or young adults. The task force is a collaboration between local law enforcement agencies to combat the rapid increase of vehicle thefts in Fairfield County, Wolf said. The task force will work with other police departments to deter these thefts and arrest those responsible for them, Wolf said. Other participating police departments include Bridgeport, Fairfield, Stratford, Monroe and Newtown. Police Chief Foti Koskinas said it was important for Westport to be a part of this effort. "By sharing resources and information with other communities that are also experiencing a large number of motor vehicle thefts, our ability to solve these crimes increases exponentially," Koskinas said in a news release. "While the theft of cars may seem like a youthful indiscretion to some, it is important to keep in mind that these stolen vehicles are often used in the commission of very serious crimes, such as robberies and shootings." Wolf said stolen vehicles are often unlocked with the keys or key fob left inside. "Therefore, even with the assistance of a task force and extra officers on patrol," Wolf said in a news release, "we will never be able to truly solve this problem unless people remember to always keep their cars locked."