Guilford Police Department

10/23/2026

🚧 Heads Up, Guilford! 🚧

Starting this Sunday, October 25th, the CT Department of Transportation (DOT) will begin roadwork and maintenance along I-95 in Guilford for approximately two weeks.

During this time, CT DOT will be utilizing mobile automated work zone speed cameras to monitor vehicle speeds throughout the highway work zone.

As you travel through the area, please remember to slow down and obey posted speed limits. Put away all distractions so your full attention is on the road, move over to give crews as much room as safely possible, and stay alert for sudden stops or lane shifts.

Drive safe, and thank you for helping to keep our highway crews safe! 👷‍♂️👷‍♀️🦺

10/22/2026

10/21/2026

Hey Guilford, let’s talk about Grandparent Scams!

This scam has been around for many years and, unfortunately, is still happening! Here’s just one example of how it works:

An older adult receives a call from someone claiming to be an attorney or police officer. They’re told their grandchild or other loved one has been arrested or involved in a serious accident and urgently needs bail money. Sometimes, a young person gets on the phone, pretending to be the grandchild, crying and begging for help. The caller may demand thousands of dollars and insist that the situation remain a secret.

While the specific details of the story may change, the premise of the scam is generally the same…

These scammers rely on fear, panic, and urgency to get victims to send money without verifying the story.

So how can you protect yourself and your loved ones?

🚫 Don’t volunteer personal information. If someone claims to be your grandchild, let them identify themselves rather than suggesting a name.

❓Ask questions. Ask something only your loved one would know.

🔒 Create a family safe word or phrase to use during genuine emergencies.

📲 Verify the story. Contact your loved one directly using their known phone number, or reach out to another trusted family member to confirm their safety before sending any money.

Remember, never rush to send money because of an urgent or frightening phone call. Take a moment to verify the situation first. And if you’re unsure of whether or not a call you receive is legitimate, give us a call at (203) 453-8061 and we’ll help you confirm whether or not it’s real!

Thank you for sharing, and stay safe! 👮‍♂️👮🚔

10/18/2026

Hey Guilford, help us stuff a cruiser for the holidays! 🚓

We’re excited to partner with Guilford Social Services, Women & Family Life Center, and Guilford Big Y to spread cheer and support local families in need this holiday season.

Join us for our 2nd Annual Stuff-A-Cruiser Food Drive on Sunday, November 1st from 10 AM to 2 PM at Big Y, 830 Boston Post Rd. in Guilford.

We’ll be collecting frozen turkeys and turkey breasts, non-perishable food items, canned goods, gift cards, and essential items to make the season a little brighter for our neighbors. A list of suggested donation items is posted above.

All items collected will go directly to the Guilford Food Bank and the Women & Family Life Center to benefit local families right here in our community.

Can’t make it to Big Y? No worries! A dedicated donation box will be available in the Guilford Police Department lobby the week of 10/26 to 10/31, so you can drop off contributions anytime.

Let’s come together and fill up that cruiser! Thank you in advance for your incredible generosity and support. ❤️💙

10/18/2026

REGISTER: GuilfordSEPTO.org/events
10/21 Event for families with students of all ages! Guilford SEPTO is proud to welcome Officer Scott Gingras and Police Social Worker Jordan Singewald to present services and programs that GPD offers for people with special needs, including:
- Empower Card Program
- Project Lifesaver
- Blue/Green/Yellow Envelope program for drivers with Autism, who are deaf/hard of hearing, or who have disabilities

Additionally, they will speak about efforts to foster relationships between Guilford students with Special Needs and the GPD and how to support individuals with IDD/ASD in the chaos of emergency situations. Officer Gingras and Social Worker Singewald will conclude their informational portion with a question-and-answer session. This event is appropriate for parents with small children through driving teens and young adults. Guilford Police Department A.W. Cox Elementary School PTO Calvin Leete School PTO Guilford Lakes Elementary School PTO Melissa Jones School PTO Baldwin Middle School PTO

10/15/2026

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 💜

Throughout the month, we recognize the impact of domestic violence in our communities and share resources available to individuals and families who may need support.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, confidential and local support is available. You do not have to wait for an emergency to reach out for information, guidance, or assistance.

📞 National Domestic Violence Hotline:
800-799-7233
📲 Text START to 88788

📞 The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence
24/7 Crisis Hotlines: 203-736-9944 or 203-789-8104
Toll-Free: 1-888-774-2900
💻 Confidential email: [email protected]

📞 Women & Family Life Center
Legal support, divorce workshops, financial guidance, and support groups
203-458-6699

📞 Guilford Youth & Family Services
Support for children and families
203-453-8047

📞 Guilford Police Department Social Worker
Case management support, crisis intervention, and referrals
203-453-8061
In an emergency, call 911

10/14/2026

If you’ve passed by the crosswalk in front of the police station recently, you may have noticed these orange “See Me Flags” on either side of the crosswalk. 🔸🔸

See Me Flags are a simple crosswalk safety system designed to help make pedestrians more visible to approaching drivers. They help drivers see pedestrians waiting to cross, and then make them more visible as they cross the street. 🚶🚶‍♀️

Here’s how to use them:

🔸Take a flag from the bin before entering the crosswalk.
🔸Hold the flag where drivers can easily see it as you cross.
🔸Cross only when it is safe to do so. The flag does not replace looking for approaching traffic and making sure vehicles have stopped.
🔸Return the flag to the bin on the opposite side of the crosswalk so it is ready to use for the next pedestrian!

Also, keep in mind these important pedestrian safety reminders:

🚶Use marked crosswalks whenever possible.
🚶‍♀️Look left, right, and left again before crossing.
🚶Make eye contact with drivers when possible, and don’t assume a driver sees you.
🚶‍♀️Wait for vehicles to stop before stepping into the roadway.
🚶Stay alert and avoid distractions, including looking at your phone while crossing.
🚶‍♀️At night or in low-light conditions, wear bright or reflective clothing when possible.

🚙🚗 And drivers, please remember…

Connecticut law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, by either stopping or slowing down, and allowing them to cross safely. Drivers must also yield to pedestrians who signal their intent to cross by either raising their hand, making eye contact with the driver, or moving any part of their body into the crosswalk’s entrance.

See Me Flags are an extra tool to help drivers see pedestrians and pedestrians be seen. While they are currently only located at the crosswalk in front of the police station, we may implement them at other crosswalks around town in the future. Please use them and help us keep everyone traveling through Guilford safe! 👮‍♂️👮

10/12/2026

We are extremely proud of Officer DeMatteo!

Last week, Officer DeMatteo was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation at the Sound of Hope Domestic Violence Awareness Event. Officer DeMatteo was nominated to receive this award by an Advocate from The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence after assisting a victim of domestic violence in crisis. The nomination reads as follows:

"Officer DeMatteo demonstrated exceptional empathy and professionalism while assisting a victim and placing a Lethality Assessment Program call. Throughout the interaction, he remained patient, compassionate, and supportive, helping the victim feel heard, respected, and safe during a difficult and emotional situation. His calm demeanor and genuine concern reflected a trauma-informed approach and exemplified the dedication and care that victims deserve when seeking help. Officer DeMatteo's commitment to ensuring the victim was connected to resources, and support made a meaningful difference and is truly worthy of recognition."

We are incredibly honored to have Officer Ryan DeMatteo recognized for his role in this particular case. Domestic violence can affect anyone regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientations, faith or economic status. Domestic violence is not defined only by physical violence but can include sexual violence, emotional and psychological abuse, coercive control and isolation, and economic or financial abuse.

We know that DV cases are especially difficult and often times, by the time the victim is reporting to the police, there has been years of abuse (average between 2-3 years) before that first call is made. The reporting rates show that roughly half of intimate partner abuse or violent incidents are never reported to law enforcement. We know that when that call is made, listening is key. Our role as police officers is not only to help in that moment, but to continue to help victims who need us most moving forward.

If you or someone you know is in a domestic violence situation, help is available. Free confidential support is available through CT Safe Connect https://www.ctsafeconnect.org/ or by phone (888) 774-2900. The Guilford Police Department is available 24/7, 365 days a year at (203) 453-8061. GPD also has a full-time Social Worker who can assist with navigating questions or needs associated with domestic violence relationships.

You are not alone and there is hope for a better future. 💜

10/11/2026

Hey Guilford, who’s ready for Tip-A-Cop?! 🍔💙

Join us for the 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run Tip-A-Cop event to benefit our local Special Olympics Connecticut athletes!🏅🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️Your Guilford PD officers will be serving as waiters and waitresses to raise funds and awareness for this amazing cause.🌟

🗓️ Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026
🕒 Time: 12-9 PM
📍Location: Char & Lemon, 2 Water Street, Guilford

Come enjoy a delicious meal and leave a generous tip! 🍽️💰100% of proceeds benefit Special Olympics CT.

Meet your local Guilford Police officers and Special Olympics athletes and show your support for inclusion and equality. Let’s make a difference, one tip at a time! 🫶

Thanks for sharing, and see you there! 💙🎉