LTE: Grateful for First Selectman Vitale's SantaCon Leadership

Letter to the Editor: Grateful for First Selectman Vitale's SantaCon Leadership

With SantaCon a few days away, I want to recognize and thank First Selectman Christine Vitale for her collaborative leadership and thoughtful planning for this weekend’s event.

As the former president of a neighborhood association in the beach community I have sadly watched as SantaCon has grown from a Fairfield University student party to a viral event that drew more than 20,000 attendees to Penfield/Lantern Point last year (many with no affiliation to the university). This is more than an inconvenience; SantaCon is a dangerous and disruptive ordeal for residents, town officials and attendees. The chaos from last year’s event included families trapped in their homes; strangers trespassing on private property; public intoxication, urination, and vomiting; multiple hospital transports; loads of debris and garbage polluting Long Island Sound with the tide; and emergency services responding to more than 50 calls. Twenty-five attendees were transported to local hospitals for medical attention. Away from the immediate beach area, two Sacred Heart University students who reportedly attended SantaCon, were charged with arson for a fire that caused an estimated $400k in damage at a small business plaza, Meanwhile, scores of intoxicated students walked back to campus in the dark.

As plans for this year's SantaCon took shape, First Selectman Vitale took proactive action. She brought everyone to the table: Fairfield University; town police, fire, and emergency services; neighboring municipalities; state agencies; and even the MTA, which banned alcohol on trains December 6th. Together, they developed a comprehensive plan for a private, ticketed event modeled after the successful Clam Jams. The First Selectman’s Office and the Fairfield Police have communicated that this is the only sanctioned SantaCon event, and that it is not open to the public. While respecting individual rights, the Fairfield Police and Fire Departments have committed to an increased presence in the area and enforcement of laws, including parking and open container violations.

First Selectman Vitale has put these plans in place to prioritize public safety and ensure our neighborhoods and emergency services are not overwhelmed. She is to be commended for demonstrating the proactive, collaborative, and decisive leadership this situation demands.

Carolyn Kamlet
Fairfield Beach