Darien Police Reach Full Staffing At 53 Officers

Board of Selectmen · Meeting of October 20, 2026

Darien Police Department reported it reached full staffing of 53 officers for the first time ever. Chief Marin credited officers for record traffic enforcement that he said is cutting down accidents, and announced the department must replace its Chinese-manufactured drones under new law enforcement restrictions. Emergency management official Mark McEwen told the Board of Selectmen FEMA has gone silent on a $3 million grant for the Gorham's Pond dam, saying "I have heard nothing, and it's kind of scary." Public Works' Gentile said 67 percent of residents have responded to the town's sump pump survey, with holdouts facing a $500 fine, "$250 times two," if they ignore a second November notice.

A fire last Friday at Big Shots downtown damaged three neighboring tenant spaces, officials said.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 741 words

Source: the Board of Selectmen meeting of October 20, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

The Full Article

DARIEN — October 20, 2026 — The Darien Police Department has reached full staffing of 53 officers for the first time in its history, Police Chief Marin told the Board of Selectmen at the town's quarterly department head meeting.

The milestone came alongside a string of other department updates: emergency management officials said they have heard nothing from FEMA on a $3 million grant request for the Gorham's Pond dam, Public Works outlined a plan to fine homeowners $500 for ignoring a mandatory sump pump survey, and fire officials detailed a blaze last Friday that gutted a tenant space at Big Shots downtown and damaged three neighboring businesses. No votes were taken; the session was devoted to informational reports from town departments.

The Full Story

Chief Marin reported the department's three newest officers graduated the police academy last week, with Officer Scott Cimbalo winning the Academy Excellence Award among 19 recruits at the Stanford Police Academy. Marin said traffic enforcement is at an all-time high and is driving down accidents, crediting the traffic division, which he said is "basically comprised of Officer Tim Budd" working with other officers on resident-requested enforcement areas. Marin also said the department's drone program, purchased with ARPA funds, must be replaced because the equipment was manufactured in China and new rules bar law enforcement from using it; the department was scheduled to demo alternative vendors the same day as the meeting.

A town official identified only as Bobby, who discussed building inspections and fire prevention, told the board a fire last Friday destroyed a tenant space at Big Shots and caused water and smoke damage to a Kumon learning center, a salon and a design-build office. He said all three fire departments responded and credited a quick knockdown by firefighters for saving the rest of the block. Bobby also introduced newly hired blight prevention officer Mike Sosai, a retired captain from the New Canaan Fire Department, joining current blight prevention officer Andrew Pepe. He said new residential projects on Sedgwick Avenue, Parklands Drive and in the Heights will require permanent annual inspections once built, which he said is driving increased staffing needs in his office.

Emergency Management's Mark McEwen said FEMA denied individual assistance for the September 13 storm, leaving affected residents only the option of an SBA loan rather than a grant. He said FEMA has agreed to elevate two flood-prone homes on Cherry Street after residents waited since 2021, but said the town has heard nothing on its Gorham's Pond dam application. DPW's Gentile reported the town's sump pump disconnection survey has drawn a 67 percent response rate, with a second reminder going out in November before fines begin.

"I have heard nothing, and it's kind of scary, but that's typical of FEMA." [00:16:08] — Mark McEwen, Emergency Management

"If you have not responded to either one of the notices, you will be fined twice. That's $250 times two. It'll be a $500 fine." [01:04:46] — Gentile, Public Works

"We're finally at 53 officers for the first time ever." [00:53:00] — Police Chief Marin

Town Clerk Krista McNamara said early voting, which began October 19, has already processed about 500 ballots without disruption ahead of the November 3 election. She said she is working to move more services online, including payment by credit card, and raised concerns about how her office would operate after an emergency, as well as a statewide rise in AI-generated public records requests. Jen Fava of Parks and Recreation said the same September storm destroyed most of the department's small equipment and that staff are evaluating long-term storage and relocation options at the Park and Public Works garage site.

Why It Matters

Residents who have not responded to the town's sump pump survey face a $500 fine by spring if they ignore a second notice going out in November, a direct cost tied to the town's ongoing sewer infiltration program. The unresolved $3 million FEMA grant for the Gorham's Pond dam leaves a flood-control project in limbo with no timeline. Separately, the police department's move to full staffing and record traffic enforcement numbers reflect a shift officials say is reducing accidents, while the looming replacement of Chinese-manufactured drone equipment carries an unspecified future cost to taxpayers.

Key Motions & Votes

No formal votes taken at this meeting.

Source

DarienTV - On Demand & Live Stream: Board of Selectmen meeting, October 20, 2026