Driving Arrests Increase in Westport

Arrests because of driving offences rose 9 percent in the year through June 2010, according to the latest annual report from the Westport Police Department.

There were 6,208 motor vehicle-related arrests in the year, or 17 per day, compared with 5,709 in the previous 12 months. A leap in the number of arrests for registration violations caused the increase.

The number of arrests for criminal activity was little changed at 822. In total, motor vehicle arrests accounted for 87 percent of arrests in the 12-month period.

Police made 457 arrests for cell phone use, down from 890 the previous year. Deputy Police Chief Dale Call said the drop was due the discontinuation of a dedicated police traffic unit and not the decreasing use of cell phones at the wheel.

"That number is higher this year,’’ said Dep. Chief Call. "It’s trending back up again.’’

He said more drivers are getting arrested currently because of increased enforcement by police officers on motorcycles and in unmarked vehicles.

The report also showed the police department raised $1.2 million from railroad parking, of which $819,431 came from permits. The department also generated $1.1 million for the town’s General Fund, mostly through payments for Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

The police report covers the fiscal year 2009-2010, in line with other town departments.