It’s been a busy few months for the Westport Police Department.
They’ve dealt with a violent carjacking and other auto thefts; ramped up security at local houses of worship following Hamas’ attack on Israel; rescued boaters from Long Island Sound, and searched for their missing companions.
Meanwhile, their daily duties — traffic enforcement, ensuring school safety, responding to dozens of calls a day — continue.
But it was all hands on deck last weekend, when a Staples High School freshman was reported missing.
Members of the Detective Bureau, and many other officers, quickly mobilized. They descended on the Bayberry Lane preserve where he was last seen. They scoured trails on foot, utilized area K-9s, and called in drone operators to search by air.
They followed leads, including a 2-second phone call believed to be placed from a Wifi kiosk in New York.
Just 24 hours later, they located him in a library near Grand Central Station.
It was a harrowing — but thoroughly professional — investigation. When the teen was reunited with his family, officers were exhausted.
But they were proud too.
And as thrilled as the young man’s family and friends.
You could say “that’s their job.” But it’s hard to find any police force that does it better, more thoroughly, or with more care and concern.
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