Cameras installed at New Canaan park
NEW CANAAN — Two years since the Jennifer Dulos disappearance, cameras have been installed in Waveny Park.
Town engineer Joe Zagarenski said the security initiative cost $50,000.
“We generally don't disclose details about security methods and location,” First Selectman Kevin Moynihan said.
Town officials started discussing security cameras in the park in 2019 after a petition was started days after Jennifer Dulos disappeared and her car was found near the 300-acre park.
A large visible camera has now been installed across from the park’s entrance on Lapham Road, near where the 50-year-old mother’s SUV was found
the night of her disappearance.
The petition was started by Hilary Ormand on change.org while local, state and federal authorities were still searching the trails near Lapham Road for evidence in the disappearance. The petition garnered more than 2,200 signatures, she said.
“I’m very pleased that the cameras at Waveny have been installed,” Ormond said. “I think and hope they will make park users feel safer and help make our police officers’ job easier when a crime occurs there.”
People in the park this week said they thought surveillance cameras were a good idea, both as a deterrent and to help solve crimes.
“I think if anything would happen they can monitor who was coming in and going out, which I think could be helpful,” Victoria Taylor said. “I know people want privacy, but I am definitely for it (camera installation).”
”I was surprised they weren’t here always,” Chris Cluett said.
Jennifer Dulos was last seen around 8 a.m. May 24 after dropping off her children at New Canaan Country School.
For days, the search focused on Waveny Park near where her SUV was found.
Her estranged husband, Fotis Dulos, died last January from an apparent suicide while facing murder, kidnapping and other charges in the death and disappearance.
His former girlfriend, Michelle Troconis, and his longtime friend and attorney Kent Mawhinney are each free on bond after pleading not guilty to conspiracy to commit murder.
Troconis has also pleaded not guilty to tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution charges.