Summertime crime squeezing Machias police department

MACHIAS — Robbie Dirsa is learning in his first year as Machias Police Chief that summertime and vandalism walk hand-in-hand in his town’s business district.

Dirsa said Thursday that although most incidents are minor, each still requires thorough investigation and follow up by his department. With the summer half over, his department is reeling from the strain of long hours and short staffing.

Machias Town Manager Chris Loughlin said Tuesday that signs seem to be a favorite of downtown vandals. Unfortunately for some businesses, the acts of vandalism don’t always stop there.

Recent complaints include the report of a handrail torn off a downtown business and thrown over the Route 1 bridge near Bad Little Falls into the Machias River.

Real estate signs have been removed from several properties and buildings with the most recent incident occurring July 20. Some of the “for sale” signs later reappear in unexpected places, Dirsa explained, such as in front of the Machias Town Office or Machias Memorial High School.

Then there’s the incident of a man seen by police “repeatedly stabbing” a sign in front of the J.C. Milliken Insurance Co. on Main Street. Police confiscated the knife and told the man to go home.

The same man was arrested later with another man, Dirsa said, after they were caught trying to steal a truck.

Store windows have been broken, and several businesses have sustained damage by vandals. A favorite target seems to be Ferris Wheel Emporium. All remain under investigation.

Contributing to his department’s strain is an apparent increase in serious crimes, Dirsa said. July has found Dirsa and his patrolmen knee deep in the investigation of the July 10 arson that claimed the 5 Water Street Restaurant. A second fire of suspicious origin occurred four days later at the Machias Little League ball field next to the Department of Human Services building. Several domestic violence cases, a suspected rape and a special investigation directed to his department by the District Attorney’s Office have stretched his department to its limit.

“By July 15 we had 125 complaints,” explained Dirsa. “That’s our normal average for an entire month. If it continues, we’ll end the month with about 200 complains.”

Dirsa divides his weekday shifts between administrative duties at the Police Department, court duty and responding to complaints. Three full-time and two part-time officers provide evening and weekend coverage.

Dirsa contends, however, that the manpower he has isn’t enough and plans to ask town fathers for additional part-time help.

Selectmen recently took Dirsa to task for training expenses relating to the department’s conversion from .357 Magnum revolvers to new 9-millimeter semiautomatic pistols.

The training expenses, instructor fees, ammunition and wages — including overtime required for the entire department to complete the 3-day course — totaled nearly $2,000. At a special meeting with Dirsa July 16, selectmen said the expense was higher than expected and argued that Dirsa should have advised the board before proceeding with the course.

Dirsa responded by saying he was led to believe the board knew what to expect when it approved the weapons conversion and certification training deal on May 10. The issue remains in dispute.

Selectmen Chairman Edward Pellon called the cost excessive at the JUly 16 meeting. Pellon stressed that cost was the reason why the Washington County Sheriff’s Department continues to carry revolvers and remains the only law enforcement branch in the county not to convert to the 9-millimeter.

Dirsa disagreed with Pellon, saying a personal preference for the .357 Magnum by Sheriff Harold A. Prescott and not certification cost was the reason the Sheriff’s Department has not made the switch. Pellon was not convinced.

When asked about it Wednesday, Prescott said that training costs were not a factor. “I’ve got my own state certified instructor, so we wouldn’t have that expense,” Prescott explained.