Two East Lyme Officers Injured During ATV Training

Two East Lyme Police Officers were injured during a training practice on the All-Terrain Vehicles that the town recently acquired to aid with beach patrols this summer. 

Resident State Trooper Sgt Wilfred Blanchette said that neither of the officers was seriously hurt in the June 12 incident. 

"One should be back next week. The other one in a couple of weeks," he said. Despite being short two officers, Blanchette said the town's police department was "in good shape" as far as staffing goes and he anticipates no issues as the Fourth of July weekend approaches. 

The ATVs, which were bought to give the police a faster way to respond to service calls coming from the new, expanded beach along the Amtrak railroad by Cini Park, were not damaged. 

There have been a few calls for service since the new beach opened earlier this month, Blanchette said, but nothing serious. At Blanchette's request, the town is not charging for parking at Cini Park to avoid potential traffic problems over the Niantic River Bridge and along Route 156.