Responding to emerging needs for a steadier police presence downtown to work directly with New Canaan merchants, deter distracted driving, enforce parking rules and otherwise bolster the department’s visibility in the business district, a new “Community Impact Officer” start working a village center beat on Sept. 1. Police Chief Leon Krolikwoski said 13-year veteran NCPD Officer Roy Adams in the “CIO” role—developed following a survey of downtown merchants last year—will “make our village a safer place to both visit and do business in.”
“In the past year, on a few occasions, we have seen out-of-state career criminals come to our town and commit serious crimes,” Krolikowski said in an email. “Moreover, we have had serious pedestrian accidents and an increase in distracted driving within the business district. As a direct result of the vision, responsiveness and support of the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, and Town Council, during the 2014-2015 budget presentations we were granted two officers over our normal complement. Recently, since we were able to quickly hire and train three certified officers, we will be close to optimal staffing in September 2014.”
As a direct result of that, the CIO position will go into effect in about 10 days.