Police Operation Targeting Car Thefts Gains Support In Trumbull

Trumbull CT

22 March, 2022

8:03 AM

Description

TRUMBULL, CT — A seven-department police initiative targeting vehicle thefts in Fairfield County has gained support from a pair of Trumbull Republican state representatives. The program, called Operation Wingspan, has helped recover nearly 200 stolen vehicles and led to more than 100 adult and juvenile arrests since 2021. Police departments in Trumbull, Monroe, Bridgeport, Stratford, Fairfield, Newtown and Westport are currently participating in the effort, which is run out of the Bridgeport Police Department. State Reps. David Rutigliano (R-123rd) and Laura Devlin (R-134th) submitted testimony Friday in support of continued funding for Operation Wingspan, which was established as a pilot program using COVID-19 Relief Funds in September 2021 to address rising car thefts in Connecticut. Rutigliano and Devlin testified in favor of House Bill 5074 after talking with Trumbull Police Chief Michael Lombardo and hearing about the successes the program was having in stopping and deterring auto thefts. The bill is winding its way through the General Assembly for possible approval. Through the program, the police departments work collaboratively to identify stolen vehicles and prevent escalating crimes. In addition to the local police departments, the FBI also is involved in the program. Early last year, Lombardo said the departments were seeing a deterrent effect with the crimes being solved, and a high percentage of cars being recovered. "The passage of this bill is an important step in providing local police officers with the resources necessary to continue this effective program," Rutigliano said. "In the face of rising crime rates especially automobile related, our police officers have made innumerable efforts to ensure that residents feel safe within their communities. Such efforts, however, are only made possible by providing our police officers with the funding and resources necessary to perform their jobs." Added Devlin, "The demonstrated results of Operation Wingspan are impressive and meaningful. Passage of the bill will ensure that this program can continue at its full operating capability to intercept crimes and help improve public safety.