Funds to help department strengthen policing capacity
By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
LIMESTONE — Limestone’s Police Department was one of six in Maine awarded federal funding to help advance public safety through community policing; this award was praised by the region’s elected officials.
A total of $181,380 was allocated for the LPD through the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) hiring program; the funding is specifically designated for departments to hire or rehire career law enforcement officers for 36 months. The money was awarded without the need of a local match, rather, LPD would be required to retain the CHP-funded officer for an additional year after the federal funding expires.
According to officials with the COPS hiring program, only 238 of the 2,712 applicants were ultimately funded, which is only about 9 percent of the total number of agencies that submitted applications. Officer John Deveau is credited for writing LPD’s successful grant.
“The consequences of this economic downturn have ripped through our communities, where deep budget cuts have eliminated the positions of critical law enforcement officers and first-responders,” said Sen. Olympia Snowe on Sept. 28, the day funding recipients were announced. “This funding will help restore these vital positions, upon which our neighborhoods and communities heavily rely, and is particularly welcome at a time when our state struggles to combat the spread and usage of the methedrone and MDPV (commonly referred to as bath salts).”
Sen. Susan Collins echoed Snowe’s sentiments.
“These funds will greatly help to improve Maine’s ability to address criminal justice and public safety issues by putting more cops on the beat,” Sen. Collins said. “This funding will also help communities throughout Maine, that are struggling with tight budgets, continue to provide protection to their residents.”
Limestone currently has three full-time police officers, down historically from five full-time officers.
Six Maine Police departments were awarded funding that totals $1,346,529: including the Dixfield Police Department, $189,617: Greenville PD, $205,826: the Town of Lincoln, $193,553; Richmond PD, $165,221; and Scarborough PD, $410,932.
