March 28, 2024
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Baileyville eyes ways to prevent crime

BAILEYVILLE – Concerned about a recent increase in crime in the area, one town councilor suggested this week establishing neighborhood watches to help police.

Police Chief Phil Harriman told councilors during their Monday night meeting that a neighborhood watch program was possible, but that he also would search for grants that might allow him to add more patrol shifts.

A review of the Police Department’s incident summary, a copy of which was given to the town councilors Monday night, showed that in July the department handled nearly 200 complaints, which Harriman said Tuesday was up over years past.

A decrease in tax revenues caused by the elimination of paper mill operations and 150 jobs at Domtar Inc. two years ago has helped to reduce the police force to four full-time employees from a high of seven. To reduce costs, town officials also decided not to replace the school resources officer after the officer who had handled those duties resigned.

Councilor John “Jack” Costello raised the issue of crime at the Monday night meeting.

According to Harriman, Costello’s commercial storage building located on Houlton Road recently was broken into. Copper and other items were taken.

It was clear that Costello was not criticizing the Police Department, but was wondering if some kind of neighborhood watch could be put in place to help police.

“Maybe we could get more people interested in solving these problems because eventually everyone will become a victim,” Costello said.

To help resolve some of the problems, the town earlier this year put in place a 10 p.m. curfew and it seems to be helping. Before the curfew, young people gathered around the town in groups, intimidating property owners and causing problems.

“Overall I think it is helping,” Harriman said. “I am not sure it helps with burglaries and thefts.”

After the meeting, Harriman said he received the complaint about the break-in at Costello’s on July 30. Harriman said he has had several discussions with Costello over the past few weeks and was glad the councilor was interested in having some kind of crime-watch program put in place. “We can’t do it all ourselves. We have technology and experience, but the citizens can help us,” Harriman said.

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