State Police Receive Fewer Calls Over Christmas

By Justin Muszynski, The Bristol Press

December 28, 2021

State police responded to fewer calls for service this holiday season compared to last, despite relaxed covid restrictions.

State police on Monday said they received 3,199 calls for service between Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas, compared to the same time period last year when 4,591 calls for service were received.

There were also fewer speeding violations this year, state police said, with 107 such violations in 2021, as opposed to 164 in 2020.

Prior to the holiday period, state police said they were anticipating a busy couple of days because covid restrictions this year are more relaxed compared to the holiday season in 2020 – before many people were vaccinated.

State police in 2021 made 11 DUI arrests between Christmas Eve and Sunday, compared to 27 such arrests during the same time period in 2020.

While there were more accidents investigated by state police in 2021 during the Christmas break, fewer involved injuries, according to statistics reported Monday. State police were called to 340 accidents this holiday season, 34 of which involved injuries, while they were called to 263 accidents in 2020, 40 of which involved injuries.

There were two fatalities reported last holiday season and one this year – which occurred on Interstate 84 westbound in Southbury on Christmas Day. The motorist who died resided in that town.

Justin Muszynski can be reached at 860-973-1809 or jmuszynski@bristolpress.com.