Increased Police Patrols In Fairfield Beach Area After 'Reported Unlawful Entries'

FAIRFIELD, CT ? A trio of "reported unlawful entries into homes" in the Fairfield Beach area in recent weeks ? two of which remain under investigation by Fairfield police ? has resulted in the department increasing patrols in the area as a precaution, according to Police Chief Mica.

The incidents occurred in homes that are occupied by Fairfield University students; no injuries and no items have been reported stolen:

• On Oct. 24, a student reported that earlier in the morning she believes she saw an unidentified male inside her bedroom. The suspect reportedly immediately left the home, and nothing was reported missing or damaged. This was reported to police several hours after the incident occurred. This case remains under investigation.
  
• On Oct. 24, officers located and identified a male who had mistakenly entered a nearby residence. This was immediately reported to police, and the subject was quickly located. He was found to be a former student, was intoxicated, and believed he was inside a friend?s home that he was visiting for Alumni Weekend. He was issued an infraction for trespassing and released to a responsible adult. At this time, the investigation has not found any connection between this individual and other reported incidents.
  
• On Nov. 3, two students reported that earlier in the morning, they saw what they believed to be a person inside their home. Detectives responded, processed the residence, and canvassed the area utilizing a number of investigative methods. Nothing was reported missing or damaged in the home. This case remains under investigation.

"At this time, Fairfield Police believe there is nothing to suggest that these incidents are connected, or that there is any ongoing threat to the safety of residents or students," Paris said in a statement. "We are very aware, however, that these incidents would cause any parent, student or community member concern, and we share that concern. To ensure a thorough investigation and out of an abundance of caution, the Fairfield Police Department has increased its presence in the area and deployed additional investigative resources."

Chief Paris, officers, and investigators met with members of Fairfield University, leaders from the school's Student Association, and Campus Security last week to discuss the incidents and continue an open dialogue regarding safety measures.

Paris added that the department "remains dedicated to maintaining a safe community, protecting life and property, reducing crime and the fear of crime, and to performing its function in a manner which promotes public trust and confidence."

"The Fairfield Police Department has dedicated extensive resources to preventing and
investigating crimes, supported by specialized units, advanced technology, and experienced
investigators who work tirelessly to identify and address potential threats," Paris said. "We continue to encourage residents and students to report suspicious activity or unusual behavior immediately
by calling 911 in an emergency, or 203-254-4800 for non-emergencies. Timely reporting allows
officers to respond quickly and effectively, and we encourage anyone making a report to do so at
the time of the incident, regardless of the hour. The Fairfield Police Department remains ready to
respond 24/7/365."

• If you believe someone is inside your home now, call 911 immediately.
• You can also text 911 from your mobile device, as this service is available in Fairfield.
• Secure your residence by keeping all doors and windows locked and using deadbolts where possible.
• Turn on exterior lights or install motion-sensor lighting, as both are simple yet effective deterrents.
• Exterior home cameras are now relatively affordable and can provide peace of mind, capture timelines of events, corroborate reports, and assist in identifying suspects.
• If you live with roommates, discuss guest policies and responsibilities for locks, keys, or access codes.
• It is also a good practice to check that all doors and windows are secured before going to bed or leaving the home.

"The safety and security of our community, which includes University students, remain central to everything we do," Paris said. "Thank you for your vigilance, cooperation, and continued partnership in keeping Fairfield safe."

Due to the incidents being actively investigated, the department will not comment on them further to protect the integrity of those investigations, Paris said.

Anonymous tips can be submitted via the Fairfield PD mobile app or by texting the keyword FPDCT plus your message/tip to 847411 (Tip411). Tips can also be submitted online at fpdct.com/tips.

(Note: When sending a tip by text message, text keyword FPDCT to 847411, add a space, type in your tip information, and hit send.)