The year prior saw a notable surge in law enforcement activities within the Lewiston Police Department, marked by a substantial climb in traffic violation tickets, arrests, and calls for service compared to 2023.
This rising trend has been observed not just from statistical data, but through interactions and experiences within the community, as voiced by Chief Frank Previte. ‘The things we are witnessing now are different from what we were accustomed to, and the trend appears to remain steady,’ Chief Previte mentioned.
Given the break down of the figures, a staggering 105% increase in traffic tickets issued was noted, while arrests saw a 51% jump, and general calls to the department escalated by 49%. Expressing his concern, Chief Previte described the growing traffic as ‘disturbing’.
The underlying reasons for this uptick are twofold according to Chief Previte. The primary contributing factors being the surge in community complaints relating to reckless driving and an aggressive enforcement stance with heightened patrols and use of technology such as license plate readers. This has inevitably led to more traffic stops.
Addressing the types of complaints received, the chief shared, ‘Our department is flooded with emails, calls, and grievances about persistent offenses like running stop signs and speeding in neighborhoods. This hints at reckless drivers and is a matter of concern. Strikingly, we now have additional issues around school premises where drivers are overtaking school buses.’
He noted that he and his team have observed a shift in driving habits, one that is far more reckless than they have ever witnessed. ‘My 30-year stint in law enforcement has not seen the kind of driving conduct I have observed since the onset of the COVID pandemic,’ Chief Previte shared.
Drawing from his personal experiences, he illustrated, ‘I’ve been in situations where I’m driving at the speed limit in a clearly marked police vehicle and yet people dare to overtake. It’s a bold but worrying behavior.’
Surprisingly, this heightened police activity follows recent accolade. Lewiston earned number one position for having the least crime rate among small towns within the state, as spotlighted by The Travel magazine. The current rise in arrests and tickets paints a contrasting picture.
In exploring reasons for the surge in arrests, Chief Previte pointed to the changes brought about by bail reform. ‘In the past, committing a misdemeanor often translated to a real fear of jail time or retributions. However, recently there’s been a leniency where charges are often reduced, or offenders are handed appearance tickets instead of severe penalties. The consequence is thereby significantly reduced,’ Previte explained.
Admittedly, the trends the department has observed in arrests are inclined more towards larceny, domestic violence, and sexual assault cases since the commencement of the COVID pandemic.
In light of the marked increases across the board, Chief Previte voiced his hopes for the community’s perspective. ‘The significant rise in numbers may initially alarm residents, considering their magnitude,’ he said.
However, he thinks the situation has a silver lining. He continued, ‘Viewing it in a different light, the increased figures reflect our efficiency in identifying and resolving these situations.’
As an important caveat, he stressed, ‘The figures that soar high are those scenarios that we are aware of and actively addressing, so it represents our proactive approach rather than an unnoticed issue.’
He wrapped up his thoughts saying, ‘Our commitment to the community remains steadfast, and these numbers, while they might be unnerving, show our law enforcement capabilities and our determination to uphold the rule of law.’
The chief’s words ultimately assured the community that this heightened activity is a testament to the vigilance and commitment of the Lewiston Police Department, assuring that the law enforcement body remains accountable, transparent, and committed to keeping the community safe.