Greenwich, Cos Cob Fire Police Help in Newtown

As thousands of visitors continue to stream into the once sleepy town of Newtown to pay their respects to the 20 children and six adults gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School last week, Greenwich Police and members of the Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol are helping out.

Several police officers and the volunteer fire police have been in Newtown, about 45 miles northeast of Greenwich, since the Dec. 14 shootings helping with details assigned to traffic control, some security at the schools, and escort funeral processions, according to Greenwich First Selectman and Town Police Commissioner Peter Tesei and Greenwich Police Chief James Heavey.

The tragedy struck close to home for several police officers and Greenwich firefighters who live in Newtown. None of their children were injured in the incident but they know many of the victims' families, Heavey said.

"Any resources the Town of Greenwich can provide to our neighbors in Sandy Hook and Newtown, it is the time for us to help in their hours of deep need," Tesei said Tuesday. "It's mutual aid."

Heavey said some Greenwich on-duty officers have been assigned to assist Newtown Police, and others who are off-duty are volunteering their services. Heavey said he visited Newtown on Friday and again Monday to offer assistance as part of the Fairfield County Chiefs of Police Association.

And a number of the volunteers of the Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol are assisting with traffic details as mourners continue to flood into the town to visit the growing memorials there and to attend the two funerals a day that have been scheduled for this week.

He declined to discuss the scene Friday in Newtown. "Now just isn't the time," Heavey said.