Editor’s note: The Parks and Recreation Department has “sincerely apologized” to people whose Compo Beach bathhouse lockers were unlocked and emptied prior to the Oct. 1 deadline.

Locker renters arrived at the beach Sunday to find locks cut off and beach gear removed from lockers by park and rec staff, even though the department had informed lessees they had until the end of Sunday to clear out belongings.

In an email Monday afternoon, parks officials said: “Any items that were removed and have not yet been retrieved have been placed in a locked storage area at Compo Beach. If you have not retrieved your items, staff will be available to assist you in claiming your belongings from the secured location during the following dates/times:” Oct. 3-6, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Oct. 7, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Officials said if that schedule is not convenient, locker renters should email Carmen Roda, the department’s operations manager, at croda@westportct.gov, to arrange an alternate time for access.

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By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — From boogie boards to beach chairs, families’ summertime gear appears to have been removed from lockers at the Compo Beach bathhouse and piled outside — before the deadline.

People using the lockers were warned in an email from the Parks and Recreation Department that locks and any gear in the lockers would be removed at the end of the season.

The locker-holders were told they’d have until Sunday, Oct. 1 to remove their gear. On Monday, Oct. 2, they were told, locks would be cut off and all belongings removed.

Problem is, when Jason Stiber went to Compo on Sunday to retrieve his beach gear, his lock already was gone and his possessions cleared out. He said he lost hundreds of dollars worth of possessions.

Other people’s possessions were left outside the bathhouse, lying on the grass and leaning against chairs.

“I went to retrieve my beach furniture at Compo today,” Stiber wrote Sunday to Jennifer Fava, the parks and recreation director.

“Today is last day per your department’s email that got sent out,” he continued. “All locks were off all lockers. My lock was removed and locker was empty. Please tell us the real date you intend to cut off locks next year. I lost hundreds in belongings.”

Stiber copied First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker on his email.

Here is the text of the Sept. 25 email from Parks and Rec.:

A reminder…Our policy states that all bathhouse assignees are to clean out their lockers no later than September 30th.

You may use Sunday, October 1st to make sure that your bathhouse has been cleaned out and your lock has been removed. Any locks remaining as of Monday, October 2nd, will be cut off and the contents will be removed and discarded.

Thanking you in advance for your attention in this matter.

Have a great day!

Westport Parks and Recreation

The Parks and Recreation Department’s administrative offices were closed Sunday, according to a recording.

If Stiber’s name sounds familiar, he’s the man who in 2018 was ticketed by Westport police on Post Road West near Whole Foods, accused of talking on a cell phone while driving.

Stiber insisted he was eating a hash brown from the McDonald’s a block to the south. Stiber prevailed on an appeal in court.

He later was the lead petitioner in an effort to establish a civilian police review board in Westport, which failed in 2021.

Thane Grauel grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond for 35 years. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.