By Lisa Wilcox
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Not one citizen of Caribou was exempt from arrest on Friday as a group of makeshift “law enforcement officers” were on the loose, clearing the city’s streets of menaces to society who had committed such crimes as shaving their heads, stealing toilet paper and eating too much, among other offenses.
Contributed Photo
From left, Dr. Shawn Laferriere, Dr. Regen Gallagher, Matt Doody, Dr. Irene Djuanda, Keystone Kop David Silsbee, Terry Hall and Dr. Claude Boma, were taken away from their duties at Cary Medical Center to do hard time in the Caribou Kiwanis prison as part of the club’s annual fund-raiser on Friday afternoon.
It was the Kiwanis Club’s annual Keystone Kops Day, a fund-raising event for the organization that takes place every year as part of Caribou’s Winter Carnival festivities.
On that day, a group of Kiwanis members don old-fashioned police uniforms and hunt down citizens who have had warrants served against them by family, friends or co-workers. Once the suspect is captured, they are thrown into a jail cell and cannot be freed until $10 in bail is posted.
This year’s event was another success, according to Kiwanis President Bill Francis, with numerous citizens, including the city’s mayor and police chief, being placed under arrest.
The Keystone Kops is just one of the popular fund-raisers the group sponsors each year. They also hold their strawberry shortcake sale in the summer and a Mother’s Day basket raffle where area businesses donate items meant for pampering such as a massage and manicure/pedicure, among other things, which are placed in a gift basket and raffled off for one lucky mother to win. Last year was the first time Kiwanis held the basket raffle and they are planning on doing it again this year.
Kiwanis is a national service-oriented organization. The Caribou chapter uses their funds to donate to groups such as the Boy Scouts Troop 184, the CMS Builder’s Club and Aroostook Teen Leadership. They sponsor the Caribou and MSSM Key Clubs and a $500 scholarship for a Caribou high school graduate. They also perform other services such as hosting senior citizens’ dinners.
With approximately 25 active members, the Caribou Kiwanis are currently holding a membership drive and encourage all interested citizens to join. The annual fee for members is $80. The club meets every first, second and third Tuesday at the Jade Palace in Caribou at 6 p.m.
Anyone interested in becoming a Kiwanis member may contact Francis at 498-2203.
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| Contributed Photo Beaulieau’s Garage owner Jeff Robertson proclaims his innocence to Keystone Kop David Silsbee after being arrested as part of the Kiwanis Club’s annual fund-raising event held on Friday |
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| Contributed Photo Caribou Police Chief Michael Gahagan gets a taste of what it’s like to be arrested as he awaits sentencing from Judge Bill Donnelly after being hauled in by the Keystone Kops on Friday as part of the Kiwanis Club’s annual fund-raising event. |
Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox State Representative Carol McElwee moonlighted as a Keystone Kop on Friday as part of the group’s annual fund-raiser. |
