New Canaan First Selectman Statement on Waveny Park Safety

At its meeting on September 3, 2019, the Board of Selectmen discussed Waveny Park safety in executive session with Chief of Police Leon Krolikowski and Town staff members.  Matters of public safety and security are not discussed in public session for obvious reasons. The Selectmen reviewed Police Department recommendations and also reviewed historical data of Police-reported incidences of public safety issues in Waveny Park as well as Irwin, Mead and Kiwanis parks. 

It is important to emphasize that Waveny and our other parks are very safe.  New Canaan consistently ranks among the top 5 safest of the 169 cities and towns in the State of Connecticut as ranked by the insurance industry (National Council for Home Safety and Security).  In another ranking, where New Canaan was ranked #3 in the state, the report calls “crime almost a non-factor in the community” (BackgroundChecks.org).

It is important also to note that the investment by the Town and the Waveny Park Conservancy of over $300,000 in the past three years to renovate and open up most of the existing trails at Waveny Park and BOE property on South Avenue has created a new feeling of security in our trails compared to several years ago when they were in disrepair.

Having said this, I and all of our Public Safety and School officials continually review our security policies, plans, protocols and need for additional resources to be prepared for any risks or random acts that can and do occur anywhere in America, and we will continue to do so.  We will review with the Selectmen, the Board of Finance and the Town Council any need for investment in resources to assure our residents’ safety in our parks and other Town properties over the next several weeks and take appropriate actions to ensure safety. 

If any resident has concerns, comments or suggestions about safety and security I, the Chief of Police and the Superintendent of Schools are always available to talk or meet with you".