You’re listening to the Westerly Sun’s podcast, where we talk about the best local events, new job postings, obituaries, and more.

First, a bit of Rhode Island trivia. Today’s trivia is brought to you by Perennial. Perennial’s new plant-based drink “Daily Gut & Brain” is a blend of easily digestible nutrients crafted for gut and brain health. A convenient mini-meal, Daily Gut & Brain” is available now at the CVS Pharmacy in Wakefield.

Now for some trivia. Did you know that Rhode Island native, Vinny Paz, formerly Vinny Pazienza, is an American former professional boxer who held world titles at lightweight and light middleweight and was only the second man to do it. The 2016 film “Bleed for This” is based on his comeback from a devastating spinal injury.

Now, for our feature story:

Connecticut State Police are pulling over law-breaking drivers at less than half the rate they were at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

Troopers pulled over about 76,000 motorists in 2020, compared with about 157,000 in 2019, according to statistics compiled by the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy at the University of Connecticut and reported Saturday by the Hartford Courant.

Traffic stops have further dropped this year, despite data showing motorists are driving faster than ever. State police stopped about 59,900 vehicles from January to October, statistics show.

Troopers also are writing fewer tickets — 105,000 in 2019, about 45,000 in 2020 and about 27,600 in the first 10 months of this year.

Andrew Matthews, executive director of the state troopers' union and a retired state police sergeant, said three factors in the drop in enforcement have been decreased staffing, worries about contracting the virus and low morale caused by new police accountability laws. Because of retirements, he said there are about 300 fewer troopers than there were about 15 years ago, when staffing peaked at 1,283.

Gov. Ned Lamont and Bridgeport state Rep. Steven Stafstrom, both Democrats, said staffing is a concern, but they doubted the accountability laws are to blame. The laws have limited police immunity from lawsuits and expanded the reasons officers' state certifications can be revoked, among other measures.

Traffic fatalities in Connecticut are on track to total more than 330 this year, which would be the highest annual number since comprehensive records began being compiled in 1994, state officials said.

For more information on jobs and employment, check out this story and more at thewesterlysun.com

Today we’re remembering the life of Arthur  Johnson, Jr., of Westerly. He was the loving and devoted husband of Eileen.

Born in Worcester, MA, Mr. Johnson had a long and distinguished career with Polaroid Corporation and retired as Chief of Personal Security at Polaroid. He received his Bachelor's degrees in horticulture from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture and from North East University with a degree in Criminal Justice.

Arthur grew up on Cape Cod where he excelled in sports and had played pro-baseball in his youth. He later went on to proudly serve his country in the United States Marine Corp.

After he and Eileen built their home in Westerly he maintained his life-long love of sports. He was a member of the Winnapaug Country Club and Senior Club Champion and was a member of the Westerly Yacht Club. He enjoyed his home and gardens and was an avid book reader.

Besides the love of his life, Eileen, he leaves his loving and devoted yellow lab Jody Rose who along with Eileen was by his side until the end.

Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate Arthur’s life.

That’s it for today, we’ll be back next time with more! Also, remember to check out our sponsor Perennial, Daily Gut & Brain, available at the CVS on Main St. in Wakefield!

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