Ridgefield has consistently been named one of the safest cities in America. Maintaining that distinction requires sustained investment in public safety.

Today, our career police officers and firefighters do indispensable work out of leaking, dilapidated buildings that are more than 100 years old. A newly hired career firefighter in Ridgefield earns approximately $15,000 less per year than their counterpart in Wilton. As a result, retention is a serious challenge – nearly half of the Ridgefield Fire Department has three or fewer years of experience.

The people who work hardest to keep our town safe deserve to be treated with the respect they have earned.

We will work to advance development of modern public safety facilities leveraging philanthropy, grants, and funding from the state and federal government. We will ensure firefighter and police officer salaries and benefits are competitive with neighboring towns. We will restore an independent Fire Commission to strengthen partnership with leadership, improve retention of career firefighters, and modernize vehicle and equipment management. 

We will espouse strong fiscal stewardship and management of taxpayer dollars. We will ensure any new spending will be accompanied with corresponding revenue generation.