Maine’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Launches
New Project Hot Spot Crime Reduction Strategy in Lewiston
Contact: Michael Bussiere, Chief of Police (207) 513-3137
Norman Croteau, District Attorney (207) 784-1397
Thomas E. Delahanty II, U.S. Attorney (207) 780-3257
Lewiston, Maine: Lewiston Police Chief Michael Bussiere, Androscoggin County District Attorney Norman Croteau, and United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Maine’s Project Safe Neighborhoods anti-gun violence initiative recently launched Project Hot Spot, a crime reduction strategy in the City of Lewiston, seeking to make it a safer place for its residents to live and work. In an effort to respond to three shootings since mid-May in Lewiston, the police department is collaborating with state, county, and federal counterparts to introduce what is known as “hot spot” policing, which combines community outreach, increased law enforcement presence, and aggressive prosecution of violators to address the significant drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession believed to be the source of the violence. Throughout the summer, Lewiston residents will see and hear from law enforcement officers directly on the street and at community meetings. Agents and officers are actively pursuing partnerships with community group members as Project Hot Spot unfolds. “Recent incidents of violence in this area have detracted from efforts to lower crime and improve downtown neighborhoods. To confront the underlying causes of these crimes, we will be expanding our resources through these partnerships which I am hopeful will lead to long term impact for the City,” said Chief Bussiere. A direct patrol event Wednesday evening resulted in the arrest of 11 individuals for a variety of offenses, including bail and probation violations.
Law enforcement agencies participating in Project Hot Spot include the Lewiston, Auburn and Lisbon Police Departments, the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Central Maine Violent Crime Task Force, Maine Probation and Parole, and the U.S. Probation Office.
Making sure that victims of federal crimes are treated with compassion, fairness and respect.
