Corinna panel discusses law enforcement > Residents agree sheriff, state police not enough

CORINNA — The law enforcement needs of this community were the topic of a meeting Wednesday night when a panel of local residents attempted to define how much police protection was needed in Corinna and how it could be offered most economically.

Although those attending the session differed on solutions to the law enforcement problems in Corinna, all agreed that relying on the sheriff’s department and state police for protection was not enough.

At the annual town meeting earlier this month, voters could not decide what type of law enforcement protection was best for their town and voted to form a citizens’ committee to study options open to the town and how much the options would cost. Voters also increased the amount allocated for law enforcement from $6,000 to $15,000 a year.

Several months ago, selectmen voted not to continue with the constable/deputy program operated out of the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office. Instead, they chose to rely on protection from the sheriff’s and state police departments.

On Wednesday, members of the panel — which was made up of businssmen, town officials and police officers — first discussed what type of enforcement the town needed. Business owner Darrell Henderson said police needed to be more visible in the community especially in the downtown area because of the gangs of youths which congregated there and harassed store patrons.

Other members of the panel expressed concern that with budget cuts at the state police and sheriff’s departments, fewer county and state officers were available to patrol the area and could not always respond to complaints as quickly as Corinna officials wished.

After discussing the needs of the community, panel members narrowed options to two. One committee was formed to investigate contracting services with Dexter and to report back to the committee as to the feasibility of this option. They also were directed to find out how much coverage could be provided by the Dexter department and how much it would cost.

The panel also directed a committee to investigate the town forming its own constable department with such a department overseen by the town and possibly dispatched through the state police.

The chairmen of each committee will report findings to the full panel at their next meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, at the Corinna Fire Station annex.