On Friday, the first full day of school for Greenwich Public School students, Greenwich Police arrested a student on East Putnam Avenue by Greenwich High School. Parents quickly took to Facebook with observations and questions.
First day of school. File Photo: Leslie Yager
Greenwich Schools superintendent Dr. Toni Jones and GHS pricipal Ralph Mayo sent an email to GHS families at 10:45am about the incident.
Jones and Mayo said they were aware that many students and families witnessed the activity.
“The areas around Greenwich High School have an increased number of police officers in their cars, on motorcycles, and on foot to help with traffic flow and to keep us safe,” they wrote. “For those that were there, we understand how alarming the scene was, with so many police officers and lights flashing on their vehicles, especially on the first day of school.”
Jones and Mayo said they are in direct contact with the Greenwich Police Dept and were following all of the proper protocols.
“We have spoken with the student and have been in contact with the student’s family,” they added.
At 3:20pm, Greenwich Police issued a news alert about the arrest saying the incident took place as GPD Police Dept Traffic Section was conducting traffic enforcement near East Putnam Avenue and Hillside Road for the first day of school.
At approximately 7:35am, officers observed a motorcycle traveling westbound on East Putnam Avenue while using the eastbound lanes to pass a line of vehicles stopped at a red light near Hillside Road.
The area was experiencing heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic at the time, including students walking to school and motorists traveling toward Greenwich High School.
The motorcycle was carrying an operator and a female passenger.
After observing the dangerous behavior, motorcycle officers attempted to stop the motorcycle. However, the operator continued through the red light at Hillside Road and traveled westbound toward Overlook Drive. Officers were subsequently able to direct the motorcycle to the side of the road and stop it.
Police said that based on the operator’s initial failure to stop and the officers’ training and experience with similar incidents involving motorcycle and electric bicycle operators fleeing on foot, officers held the operator’s arm to prevent him from fleeing.
During the stop, the operator initially resisted officers multiple times and repeatedly reached toward his waistband while officers attempted to safely check the area. Officers were ultimately able to gain control of the operator.
Officers determined that the motorcycle was equipped with a 169 cc engine and was not registered or insured. The operator also did not have a valid driver’s license or the required motorcycle endorsement.
The motorcycle was impounded, and the operator was transported to Greenwich Police Headquarters for further investigation and processing. The female was released without incident.
The operator was charged with the following motor vehicle violations:
- C.G.S. 14-222 – Reckless Driving
- C.G.S. 14-223(a) – Disobeying the Signal of a Police Officer
- C.G.S. 14-12(a) – Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle
- C.G.S. 14-213b – Operating Without Minimum Insurance
- C.G.S. 14-36(a) – Operating Without a License
- C.G.S. 14-40a(a) – Operating a Motorcycle Without the Required Endorsement
- C.G.S. 14-232(b) – Unsafe Passing
- C.G.S. 14-299 – Failure to Obey a Traffic Signal
The Greenwich Police Department reminds the community that motorcycles and e-bikes must be operated responsibly and in accordance with the rules of the road. Riders must obey traffic signals, travel with the flow of traffic, and avoid reckless behavior that can endanger themselves and others.
In Connecticut, a person must be at least 16 years old to obtain a driver’s license, and operating a motorcycle on public roadways requires the appropriate motorcycle permit or endorsement. E-bike riders are also required to follow applicable traffic laws and should always ride responsibly.
With school back in session, we ask all drivers and riders to slow down, stay alert, and make safe decisions. Reckless driving can have serious consequences for you, your passengers, pedestrians, and everyone sharing the road.