Town of Scarborough

Report from Police Department July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009
also holds the rank of Deputy Fire Chief for our fire
department. Both of these dispatchers are doing a great job
and are valuable assets to our public safety communications
center.
On another note, I would be remiss if I did not mention the
work of both our Police and Communications unions during
the past year. Early in the budget process this year, it
became apparent that this would be a very difficult year and
one in which layoffs could be a real possibility. One of the
things that put us in a difficult position was that both unions
were due 3% raises from a three year contract that had been
negotiated in better economic times. As those obligations
were already in place, we would need to make substantial
operational cuts, up to and including layoffs, in order to
avoid an increase in taxes.
At the direction of Town Manager Thomas Hall, I
approached both unions to see if they would be receptive to
even discussing the idea of giving up the 3% raise in order
to help keep the budget in check. I am extremely proud to
report that both unions were agreeable to discussing this
issue and did in fact forego their negotiated raises in order
to avoid the alternatives of reduced operational budgets,
layoffs, or a tax increase to the citizens of Scarborough.
In the words of Union President John Gill, "Part of what
we do involves taking care of the citizens of the Town of
Scarborough and, though this is a nontraditional way to
do it, that's what we are doing" by considering a wage
freeze, Gill said. "Times are tough, and people are
having a hard time meeting their obligations and that
includes the taxpayers."
I feel very fortunate to work with the kind of employees
that are willing to put their service to the community before
their own needs and wants.
Daily Operations
On the operational side, we continue to look at new
technologies and practices to assist us in serving an ever
increasing population and business community. Although
this growth has put a strain on our abilities to provide proactive
solutions, our patrol officers and detectives work
diligently to address the issues created by increased calls for
service, higher volumes of traffic and an increased number
of neighborhoods and businesses. Providing the highest
level of service to our community is job one.
very successful in seizing drugs, cash, and guns. Our officer
has been involved in a number of successful operations this
year which has led to substantial sentences as well as assets
being forfeited back to our community. During this period,
HIDTA has been responsible for the arrests of over 100
suspected drug dealers and users. Seizures include:
► over 120 pounds of marijuana
► 1,500 marijuana plants
► 6.5 pounds of cocaine and crack cocaine
► over 3 ounces of heroin
► 3,000 Ectasy pills
► 5,000 Oxycontin tablets
► 15 firearms
► Cash and property seized from convicted drug
dealers account for over 455,000.00 dollars
We also have continued to participate in the Southern
Maine Violent Crimes Task Force (SMVCTF) which is
another highly successful cooperative effort between
Federal, State, and local law enforcement. This task force
targets those individuals involved in violent crimes and has
had a definite impact on our region.
During the reporting period, the SMVCTF has been
involved in the arrests of over 130 violent criminals. These
individuals have a range of histories from murder, assault,
robbery, rape, and fugitive from justice to name a few.
Some of these arrests have been very notable:
► Biddeford man that had shot and killed two men
earlier in the day this June.
► An Alabama fugitive wanted for the armed
kidnapping and robbery of an elderly couple.
► A bank robber that was tracked and arrested for the
armed robbery of the TD Bank North branch in
Biddeford.
► The armed robber who held up the Scarborough
Cumberland Farms.
The SMVCTF receives significant funding and oversight
from the United States Marshal’s Service.
Regional Operations
The Scarborough Communications Center continues to
operate as the State designated Public Safety Answering
Point (PSAP) for Buxton, Hollis, and Old Orchard. This
service is provided for the other communities at a per capita
fee.
We have continued our involvement in the Federal, State,
and Local drug task force (HIDTA). This program has been
Arrest of drug trafficker
Arrest of armed double murder suspect
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