HPD Challenge

    The HPD Challenge column will be used to give insight into good things that are happening in our community. HPD officers have accepted the responsibility and the opportunity to recognize those everyday citizens that make a difference.
    From saving a life to changing a flat tire for an elderly person, that otherwise may stay stranded. HPD officers will be out there watching, and if they observe someone who is making a difference, they will approach that person and reward them with an HPD Challenge Coin. This column, hosted by the Houlton Pioneer times, will then give you, the reader insight to those great people that live amongst us. (Names and addresses of these people are withheld at the request of the police chief).
Tuesday, Oct. 19
    Officer Steven Wotton issued a Challenge Coin to a Bangor man that was traveling through Houlton. The HPD was dispatched to North Street’s Irving Mainway store, as there was a female there matching the description of a women we were looking for, that had walk away from Houlton Regional Hospital. It was reported that the female was suicidal, and had swallowed prescription medication. Taking this person into protective custody she became combative to the two HPD officers, and one MDEA officer on scene. The Bangor man assisted the three officers to secure the struggling female, and to help insure that there were no injuries.
Monday, Oct. 25
    Officer Erica Pelletier issued a Challenge Coin to a young lady who assisted her with alcohol compliance checks. These checks are when a young person volunteers to work with the police department to help stop the sale of alcohol to minors.
    Officer Pelletier also issued a Challenge Coin to a young Houlton man who helped an elderly man, by changing a tire on his vehicle. The older man was involved in an accident and couldn’t afford to have his tire changed, and the vehicle was his only way of getting around.
     Officer Kris Callaman issued a Challenge coin to a Houlton woman for her good deeds following a fire on Fair Street. The officer noticed the woman talking to the individuals, asking if they needed anything. One of the individuals only had on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt on and appeared to be very cold. The woman immediately went to her home and brought the young man a heavy blanket and boots. She then asked family members for their clothing sizes and called the Salvation Army for assistance. Major Irma Pearl from the Houlton Salvation Army arrived shortly and offered the family food, clothing and anything else that could help. The good Samaritan also obtained a large amount of clothing from Goodwill through a donation and asked the local Dunkin Donuts for coffee and food for the family, who remained at the scene of the fire for more than four hours.
Thursday, Oct. 28
    Officer Theron Bickford issued a Challenge Coin to a Houlton youth who was instrumental in providing key details in the case at the Houlton Recreation Center, where an unidentified male subject entered the building and attempted to lure several juveniles away from the property. Officer Bickford stated the Houlton youth focused on the task of providing information to the police and paid a high level  of attention to details.