Amid Declining Crime Rates in Wilton, Family Violence Accounted for Nearly 1 in 4 Arrests

Wilton’s crime rate fell and its roads became safer in 2025, according to the Wilton Police Department‘s 2025 Annual Report. But one category stood apart from many of the report’s otherwise encouraging statistics: family violence, which accounted for nearly one-quarter of all arrests made by the department last year.

In 2025, WPD responded to 91 domestic incidents, of which 43 were classified as “family violence” under Connecticut law — meaning they went beyond verbal disputes and involved physical harm, bodily injury, assault or credible threats. While the total number of domestic incidents was essentially unchanged from 2024, when the WPD responded to 90, the number of family violence incidents inched upwards after holding at 39 in both 2023 and 2024.

WPD found probable cause for arrest in 36 of those family violence cases — a 9% increase over 2024. Spouses and former spouses were the most common relationship category (17 arrests) though other family members and dating relationships were not uncommon. In addition to breach of peace, charges were made for violation of court orders, threatening, assault and sexual assault.

Those 36 family violence arrests represented 24% of all arrests made in Wilton in 2025 — a striking proportion of essentially 1 in 4 arrests that underscores both the prevalence and danger of family violence.

“Domestic violence, unfortunately, is not just a Wilton issue or even a Connecticut issue, it is a national one,” Wilton Deputy Chief Rob Cipolla said. “Our mission to serve and protect becomes even more vital when we are safeguarding vulnerable victims caught in the grip of domestic abuse, who rely on law enforcement for safety, dignity and hope.”

Family violence calls also required significant police resources. On average, three officers were deployed to each of the 43 family violence calls — and spent as much time on scene as officers spent handling 268 resident calls for other types of assistance.

“Our goal is to keep victims safe and hold offenders accountable,” Cipolla said. “We work toward this through our partnership with the Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC), through offender arrests when required, and through ongoing education and awareness.”

Screening and Support

Beyond enforcement, the WPD also focuses on identifying victims at greatest risk and connecting them with support services.

WPD’s Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) — first implemented in 2013 — is a screening program in partnership with victim advocacy groups to implement nationally recognized risk assessment strategies to better serve victims in high danger from domestic violence.

“This tool bridges the gap between law enforcement response and the support provided by the DVCC,” Cipolla said.

Officers administer the assessment at the scene of a domestic incident, and when a high‑danger screen is identified, officers contact the DVCC immediately so the victim can speak with an advocate.

“Research has shown that once this initial connection is made, victims are far more likely to engage in the additional services and resources that help keep them and their families safe,” Cipolla said.

In 2025, WPD completed 33 LAP screenings, which identified 15 high-risk victims and connected them with immediate support services. That’s a notable increase from 2024, when 19 screenings identified nine at high risk.

Wilton’s Social Services Department is often part of this effort, collaborating with the WPD and the DVCC, according to Social Services Director Stephanie Rowe, and provides other resources as well.

“If you need help, we can be that bridge,” she said. “We can provide therapeutic referrals and resources.”

“I can tell you that our department has a great working relationship with Domestic Violence Crisis Center, which is our lead referral when we receive calls requesting assistance due to domestic violence,” she added.

“Our department is also able to assist residents in making these difficult calls and all assistance is confidential.”

In turn, WPD can facilitate the connection between at-risk residents and Social Services.

“Because officers respond directly to calls for service, they are often in a unique position to recognize when community members may be struggling to meet basic needs such as shelter, food, clothing, mental health or financial stability,” Cipolla said, adding that once those needs are identified, officers make a referral to Social Services for follow-up and, when necessary, accompany Social Services staff on home visits.

Last year, DVCC provided services to 3,454 survivors in Stamford, Norwalk, Darien, New Canaan, Weston, Westport and Wilton, offering free and confidential services including a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency safe housing, counseling for adults and youth, legal advocacy, housing and financial support, and prevention education. 

Cipolla reiterated that the WPD is available to residents, and encourages those who need to to reach out.

“If you or someone you know is suffering from the power and control dynamics that epitomize unhealthy and abusive relationships, contact us,” the he said. “We are here to help and when necessary make a warm handoff to the DVCC.”