State Police to Step Up Patrols Over Prom, Holiday Weekend

Connecticut State Police will be stepping up patrols in Durham and Middlefield this weekend as students and parents celebrate prom and the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Troopers from Troop F Barracks in Westbrook will conduct party patrols in the two towns beginning Friday and continuing through Sunday, according to Sgt. Sal Calvo.

The Coginchaug High School prom is Saturday evening in Glastonbury, where additional troopers will be on duty both in uniform and not in uniform.

"We're asking all parents to be diligent, know where your kids are going," Calvo said. "We don't want to see a tragedy. We want these kids to go to prom. We them to have a good time."

All week long, members of the EDGE club have been promoting a drug and substance free prom. On Friday, students will wear blue and white to the high school to pledge their commitment to be substance free for prom and graduation.

In addition to the party patrols, state police will perform roving DUI patrols in Durham, Middlefield, Haddam, Chester and Killingworth.

Seatbelt checkpoints will be set up along Routes 66 in Middlefield, Route 154 in Haddam, Route 17 in Durham and Route 81 in Killingworth, Calvo said. Troopers will also be assigned to the Millers Pond area in Durham in anticipation of a busy weekend.

Police visibility will be high throughout the weekend as they keep an eye out for drunk drivers and distracted motorists. Calvo said it's important for parents to remember that Connecticut's social hosting laws have significant consequences for parents.

"We're asking all the parents to really pay attention that if they're going to have an after party to make sure that no one is drinking that's not of age. With the new laws in effect not only will the young adults get arrested for having liquor but the parents can get arrested too," he said.

Anyone wishing to report an incident is urged to contact police. Call 911 for emergencies or contact state police at 860-399-2100.