National Night Out to bolster relationship with law enforcement a success by Matt Pascarella

McGruff, the crime solving dog

On Tuesday evening, August 7^th, the Windham and Gorham law enforcement departments and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department hosted a National Night Out held at Windham High School. This was a community event seeking to strengthen the relationship between townspeople and law enforcement.

Josh Noyse participates in a kayaking demo

The Windham and Gorham Police Departments put on a K-9 demonstration, showcased new drone technology and county SWAT team members were present along with police cars and motorcycles. Various fire apparatus and the DARE to Adventure program were available to talk and showcase their programs as well.

Service organizations such as Domestic Violence, Trauma Intervention and Be the Influence were on hand so the public could learn more about what they do.

Windham Chief of Police and event organizer, Kevin Schofield, said the National Night Out, which Windham began participating in last year, is “an event to give police departments an opportunity to interact with the community; community members to get to know officers, as well as the various types of programs and equipment that are available to help departments serve our communities.”

“[There are] different things that we do to try and keep people safe other than stop them for speeding and putting handcuffs on people,” said Community Services Officer, Matt Cyr. “[The public] gets to see some of the community policing programs…and lets them see some of the equipment and technology that has really come into law enforcement,” Cyr adds.

Residents from Windham and the surrounding communities were in attendance. Some were there to see what it was all about, while others like Windham resident Angela Wyman, came for the child fingerprinting service for child IDs. Standish resident, Kimberly Nielsen was there with her Den 12 female Cub Scout group working on earning their safety badges.

Each law enforcement department “enjoys meeting new people, getting to know our citizens and displaying and demonstrating some of the programs and equipment we have available,” stated Chief Schofield.

Windham Police Department pursues organizational restructuring By Stephen Signor

On April 20^th, 2015, Kevin Schofield became chief of the Windham Police Department. Since then it has been established that there is a more effective way to run his department. Last Tuesday, at the town council meeting, Schofield and Lieutenant James Boudreau presented a proposal for departmental restructuring that would potentially eliminate the need for overtime, increase efficiency and provide an improved, safer environment for patrol officers; all with little or no cost to the town.

To accomplish this, a Strengths, Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis of the department was developed. “Shortly after becoming chief, I began assessing the police department from several different aspects, to include the organizational rank structure. During my first couple of months, I met with people meeting one-on-one with many of the staff to go over what areas they can improve, what new projects/functions they should do, what are their strengths and what current functions can they do away with,” Schofield explained.

The current administrative structure of the chief and the lieutenant was developed in 1982. “I’m not saying it’s not valid but the world has changed in 35 years; and most certainly the Windham Police Department,” acknowledged Schofield.

So what does it take to run a police department?  “In my ten years of managerial experience in three different communities, it changes significantly. Those changes revolve around updating mandated policy, mandated training, mandated regulatory issues and grant preparation for acquiring the tools necessary to perform their duties. These take a lot of man hours,” Schofield said.

To this end, an internal methodology committee was born, to get more detailed feedback. “The committee I formed consist of Lieutenant Boudreau, Sergeant David Bonneau, Detective Paul Cox and Officer Jason Burke and charged to render feedback through the use of a survey so that we all have a buy-in to put input into the department,” said Schofield.

All facets of the organization were represented. “We had a good cross section of the department which then developed a survey to distribute to the rest of the staff,” continued Schofield. This committee was then charged with reviewing, making recommendations, and then generating a report.

The end result was the recommendation to create a two-assistant-to-deputy chief structure, where one person would be in charge of patrol operations and the other would support investigations and support services. “With this recommendation is the elimination of our currently hourly administrative sergeant position,” said Schofield.

The span of control and areas of responsibility of the administrative sergeant position is deemed as far too broad. “Currently the administrative sergeant supervises six various positions and also performs several administrative functions including but not limited to scheduling, vehicle inventory and maintenance as well as property procurement,” explained Schofield.

The second facet of the proposal was to create a detective sergeant position that would maintain a level of investigative responsibilities. This position would also perform first line supervision such as case management review and also functioning as department court liaison officer.

“The advantages of doing this (is) that it would clearly define administrative roles as they pertain to each division of the department, creates a defined chain of command, helps alleviate (the) amount of current paperwork, creates more managerial capacity within the department and opens opportunities for nationally recognized opportunities like the FBI and NA (National Academy),” said Schofield.

“What’s real important to me, and a goal I hope to achieve is create more managerial opportunities in the department. Someday when I decide to hang it up for good, nothing would satisfy me more than to have one of the officers in this room to be able to sit at my desk,” concluded Schofield.

Little time was wasted in digesting this proposal. Without hesitation, council chair Donna Chapman said, “I think it looks like we should be putting this into the upcoming budget. I support this because we’ve grown as a community and the police department hasn’t grown to keep up with that.”

Like any restructuring, it is difficult to forecast what the budgetary implications would be. To this end, councilman Tim Nangle raised the question of the potential financial obligation to the town.

“Based on prior experience and the fact this change does not add a sergeant position, I would anticipate the impact on the budget to be negligible in either direction,” responded Schofield.  To further reiterate, “My intent is to utilize internal personnel. As far as an added cost, my proposal would eliminate the sergeant position. Somebody would be promoted which would require an increase in base salary, but with the potential loss of need for overtime, that amount would be decreased or eliminated altogether,” continued Schofield.

It was agreed by all council members, that Chief Schofield put together a worst case scenario of potential financial obligations that the town may need to absorb. A February 7^th meeting was tentatively scheduled for further discussion and to review information requested by the council that could be presented to the finance committee.

 

“Our goal tonight was simply to share these ideas with you to give you the opportunity to ask questions, not to look for any conclusions or consensus. It may take more time for people to process this. The plan at this point would be to do what we did with the budget for last year (which) is to use the strategic plan as a starting point,” concluded town manager Tony Plante.

Windham Police help Santa bring Christmas cheer - By Michelle Libby

Six police cruisers pulled up to the doors at Windham Walmart on Tuesday, drawing concerned looks from shoppers. They gathered out front to form their plan and scattered into the store. This wasn’t a typical operation for the police department, officers took time from their schedules to shop for Windham Social Services. With money raised at various fundraisers, they brought $2,000 to buy toys for over 30 children in Windham. 

From learning toys for toddlers to make up for teens, the officers worked with one another to find the best gifts for the children they were shopping for. In past years, the officers were given a dollar amount and they picked out items for a variety of children. This year, administrative assistant Sue Rogers, gave each officer a sheet of paper with an age and suggestions for gifts that child would love to see under their tree. So as the officers were shopping, they had a specific child in mind. 

“The best reason we do this is that we are giving back to the community. We receive a lot of public support in town and it’s nice to give some of that back,” said officer Jason Burke. 

The fundraising for their programs come from solicitation calls in the beginning of the year and a show they put on. This year on February 25, Windham Police Department will introduce the community to Audio Body, a musical performance duo similar to the Blue Man Group. With the money raised, the officers as a whole are able to donate to local charities, sports teams and sponsor officers or someone with a connection to the department as they participate in walks like the Dempsey Challenge and cancer walks. 

“We donate to different veteran groups, team like little league who went to Nationals and special circumstances like cancer diagnosis or a kid who needs a physical to play sports. It’s all done quietly,” said officer Jim Cook. 

While the officers scoured the toy department for Christmas gems, shoppers stopped them and gave them donations to put toward the purchases. They received $270 in donations while shopping. Another woman gave them $100 in gift cards that were already paid for. 

“The best part is when people come up to give you money,” said officer Gene Gallant. 

“One man who had a long negative history with the police, came up to us and gave us cash one year,” said Cook. 

This was the fourth year the police department has shopped for less fortunate children in Windham. They also added some gifts and toiletries for seniors. 

Good will breeds good will. Dunkin Donuts in Walmart offered to give each officer a free coffee for the good work they were doing. Although few took them up on the offer, it was the thought that counted.

Outdoor photo – (L to R) Justin Hudnor, Seth Fornier, Jason Burke, Eric Quatrano, Sue Rogers, Sherma Moody (Manager of Walmart), Matt Cyr, Jason Andrews, Gene Gallant, Jim Cook and Bill Andrew.

Windham Public Safety Day deemed a success - By Stephen Signor

Last Saturday safety conscious residents flocked to the Windham Public Safety building to celebrate National Safety Day. With a combined effort from AARP, Windham Police Department, Windham Fire and Rescue Department, activities that promoted safety and education were set up around the property.
 

Among the activities was a K9 demonstration in which Windham Police Dog Vader was on hand to show off his prowess in locating unseen items for retrieval. Vader is a 3-year-old black shepherd that has been trained for numerous police responsibilities. Handler and Officer Steve Stubbs gave an entertaining and informative demonstration. Vader’s actions provided spectators a glimpse of how voice commands play an important role in catching law breakers and finding illegal items that may have been tossed out a vehicle for example. With the assistance of DARE Officer Matt Cyr, Vader also demonstrated the art of attacking and subduing criminals.

Appropriately, the Dalmatian Fire Mascot appeared as did Daren-the-Lion, the mascot for DARE.

The DARE program is taught in the fifth and seventh grades at RSU14. The program is run by Officer Matt Cyr. “Measuring prevention is one of the most difficult things that we do in law enforcement. If someone were to ask me if as a stand-alone [DARE] was the answer, I would look them straight in the eye and say absolutely not,” Cyr said. Has it been successful? “I’ve talked to law enforcement outside our state and they say wow! I can’t believe what you guys are doing. You are the model to follow.” He also expressed, “Windham is fortunate to have what we have. It is a great community. Support for programs such as this comes from all levels within the community. This is not just Windham, it includes Raymond.” 

The take-back prescription drug booth was available for accepting old or unused prescription drugs. A collection area was also in the lobby of the public safety building with high hopes to match last year’s success. 

“The drug take-back has been a very popular program. That collection yielded 12 to 15 boxes or roughly two tons,” explained Windham Detective Eugene Gallant. Collection is not limited to just these types of events. There is a box in the lobby of the public safety building available for drop off every day during business hours. 

“In such a gathering as this where large amounts are involved, it is moved into the evidence cage for security,” stated Gallant. Disposal is usually done by the DEA, however that can change. “The last time there was so much; Officer Cyr and I took the drugs to EcoMaine. They have a secure facility and we had to be present to witness the actual destruction after which we signed off on an official certificate,” said Gallant.

Safety has many faces and The Yellow Dot Program recognizes those of senior citizens. While this program is not specific to them, it is the largest group of users. Originating from Alabama it was developed to aid citizens and first responders in the event of an automobile accident or other medical emergency involving a participant’s vehicle. It was initiated by the Gorham-Windham-Westbrook Triad and with the help of sponsorships the word has gotten out. “It has been here locally for five years and is made up of local law enforcement agencies, businesses and seniors,” said Buffy Houp, who is involved with the program. “Yellow Dot is currently in 30 states and our goal is to get it state-wide here. Our mission is to minimize victimization of seniors in our community,” she continued.

Thanks to the donation by AARP, a Records Management Center truck was offering free document shredding adjacent to the public safety building. The driveway of the Family Resource Center/Food Pantry served as the dropping off point where boxes upon boxes were reduced to shreds protecting the citizens from identity theft. 

Further information on the participating programs, visit www.dare.com, www.rmcmaine.com, www.yellowdotme.org, and local.aarp.org/Portland-me.

Confronting the opiate epidemic head on at WPD - By Michelle Libby

Windham Police Department, headed by Chief Kevin Schofield, has been busy collaborating with
other departments, applying for grants and putting new programs in place that will help save lives in the crucial seconds before medical personnel can arrive on scene. From enforcement teams in the summer, to a grant that will provide money to train officers in a variety of mental health situations, Windham Police Department is treating the opiate epidemic as a serious issue that must be addressed now.

Enforcement

For two summers, the Windham Police Department has teamed up with Gorham Police Department to work with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) to focus attention on Windham and Gorham. 

“Drug trafficking is what we’re trying to uncover,” said Schofield. “Drugs are, particularly opiates, the biggest issue our society is facing. It affects so many different facets of the community.” 

The officers handed out possession charges and warrants for furnishing and trafficking in drugs. From mid-June to now officers made 22 cases, confiscating Suboxone, Fentanyl and other drugs. Nine cases were in Gorham and 13 were Windham cases. Many of the cases included Fentanyl brought here by people from the northeast region of Massachusetts, according to Schofield. In one case, nine fingers of Fentanyl was seized with the potential street value of $10,000.  The additional officers came from the school resource officers (SRO) that aren’t needed in the schools during the summer. 

“That’s one of the areas both communities and police departments sees as a need. We collaborate 

because an officer should not be out there on his own,” said Schofield. None of the cases were high level dealers. The goal wasn’t to generate cases, but to stop the flow of drugs into the two towns. The smaller cases are also how larger investigations are spawned, said the chief. 

“I speculate that the issue around drug use and opiate addiction disorders, struggles and issues are

very real in this area,” he added. 

Towns in the area all have similar numbers and programs when it comes to drug cases. Westbrook has a new Community Approach to Stopping Heroin (CASH) program dedicated to stopping the heroin and drug epidemic gripping that city. 

“We are always looking at if we are using our resources as effectively as we can. It’s been effective the last two summers,” Schofield said.

Narcan

In the last six months there have been five drug overdose deaths in Windham, according to Schofield. There has been an increase in pharmacy robberies, bank robberies, car thefts and burglaries and it can all trickle back into the drug problem in society. Schofield calls this significant. 

“There is a medical cost to the opiate abuse disorder. This opiate crisis is the biggest issue I’ve dealt with in my career,” he added. 

Part of the opiate and street drug problem stems from that street drugs are cheaper to get than Oxy drugs. Pharmacology made a change to the Oxy pills and at $1 per milligram, it’s more expensive than Heroine. 

Heroine is a “one and done” drug, meaning that try it once and a person will be addicted. The first experience with Heroine is usually snorting, not injecting, said Schofield. They can achieve a high, but the more they use, the more they look for a quicker high and transition into injecting it as their drug use progresses. 

“It’s risky,” Schofield said. “There’s no quality control with illicit drugs.” Since there is such a problem with drugs the police officers have begun carrying 4 mg doses of nasal spray Narcan, which is “a prescription medicine that blocks the effects of opioids and reverses an overdose. It cannot be used to get a person high. If given to a person who has not taken opioids, it will not have any effect on him or her, since there is no opioid overdose to reverse.” (stopoverdoseil.org)

Schofield describes that Narcan has an immediate reaction time. Within seconds someone who was not breathing or had no heartbeat become responsive. They can become combative because they immediately begin going through withdrawal symptoms, eliminating the euphoric effect.

The State of Maine’s Attorney General offered law enforcement the opportunity to receive free Narcan to use in emergency settings where seconds matter and EMS has not arrived. 

“We were asked one year ago. I said ‘yes’ even though we have trained EMTs and rescue. They do have Narcan, but our officers can be in the right place at the right time,” Schofield said. “In an opiate OD, time is of the essence.”

All officers were trained on the use of the Narcan. In the six weeks they have been carrying it two officers have used it in the field and saved two lives, said Schofield. All officers who carry Narcan have to do a report every time it is used for tracking purposes.

In other communities Narcan has been used five or six times on the same person. One save was the person’s eighth save over his lifetime. It’s a false safety net, according to Schofield. 

“We are strictly saving a life,” Schofield said. Not everyone is a repeat offender. He knows of people who were saved by Narcan and now work in recovery, helping others battle their addiction. 

“This is a human life. If someone is allergic to a bee sting, what are you going to do? Give him an EpiPen,” said Schofield. 

Windham Fire and Rescue also carry Narcan. They purchase 2 mg of Narcan for $56.99 per dose. “We can give more or less as need,” said Chief Brent Libby. “It’s one of those things like an AED or EpiPen. If we know what it is and we know that it works, it’s worth the cost. It’s life saving when we need it.”  

Grant

Windham Police Department as well as Westbrook, Gorham, Buxton and the Sherriff’s office have been awarded a grant through the State of Maine to help in carrying out projects designed to reduce substance use, substance use-related crimes and recidivism. Westbrook Police Chief Janine Roberts approached Schofield about the grant, which they were awarded earlier in the month. 

The plan is to hire a recovery liaison position to help identify persons and families of persons with opiate abuse disorder. They will check on how people are doing coming out of jail, help with treatment and employment opportunities. 

“The liaison will find resources for them to get the level of treatment they need to connect all the dots,” said Schofield. 

The grant will also pay for officers to become recovery coaches, giving them family crisis, Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) and mental health training. It also informs them about what types of resources are available for people they are helping. Recovery coaches refer and help the liaison meet with employment resources and opportunities. “The training gives us in law enforcement the options in the recovery field,” Schofield said. “There is a balance on how to deal with this. Back 20 years, the profession was forced into doing more and more and being responsible for mental health.” 

The goal is for officers to develop partnerships with groups that can help with programs and trainings, according to Schofield. “We have to come at this problem from a different perspective. It will decrease the police enforcement side. It’s much more problem solving than strictly enforcement,” he said. 

The Windham Police Department is in the process of hiring one officer this year to help with their efforts.

Local churches honor first responders past and present - By Michelle Libby

*Editor Note: Due to some graphic details this article may not be appropriate for some sensitive people. The account is from a first responder who worked at the scene in New York City.

 

Over 100 people joined local first responders at the Windham Assembly of God on Sunday night for a memorial service in honor of those who lost their lives 15 years ago on 9/11. 

Almost 3,000 innocent victims lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on New York City, Washington D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, but to this day many who came in after the towers had fallen to clean up the wreckage are still suffering today and looking for answers. 

“We wanted to honor first responders in our community and acknowledge them. The occasion was fitting,” said pastor Tony Searles of the Windham Assembly of God. “It’s still very real in people’s hearts and lives.” 

Special speaker Raymond Gough, a now retired paramedic for MONOC in New Jersey was a first responder at Ground Zero on that day and he recounted many of the horrifying stories of the workers who toiled over the debris at a place called Fresh Kills landfill. Gough worked for one month at the site and even 15 years later, when he thinks about what he saw, it brings tears to his eyes. 

“And we uncovered personal remains, police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, badges, pistols, name plates all in this pile. All sights no one should have to see in their lifetime,” Gough said. He and his coworkers found human remains no bigger than a baseball that were used to identify victims through DNA. His goal was to help bring closure to families by finding the DNA. He worked alongside counselors who could debrief the workers, chaplains who worked side by side praying prayers of encouragement and Red Cross workers who stood by to give hugs as they came off the pile. 

Letters arrived from school children. One was from a kindergartener who had painted her hands on a paper and drew a heart around them. Written on the paper was “Let our tiny hands hold up your heavy hearts.” 

On his way home each night the road would be lined with people holding signs thanking the volunteers for their service. “You’re heroes,” they said. 

“I tell you, I didn’t feel like a hero that day,” Gough said. 

At one point they found a complete left arm with a gold wedding band. “My heart sank. This was someone’s husband, son, father. He wasn’t at war with anyone. His choices were jump, burn or be crushed to death – that was his choice.”

By December of 2001, nine victims had been identified by DNA remains that they had found. 

9/11 proved to Gough that there was no God. Gough was angry and filled with anguish, he said. After his services were no longer needed at Fresh Kills, things went downhill for Gough and his wife, Dawn. “We went bankrupt. I was a broken man.” He retired after 22 years in Emergency Medical Services. Therapy taught him how to cope. “I never felt the healing. There was always a deep emptiness in me,” he said. 

His wife asked him to go to church with her, but he refused. “I wasn’t a believer.” When he did finally agree to go, “it was the first time I was ever able to be around people for any length of time in four years. God always knows who need to hear the message,” he said. 

The sermon was about walking in the light. “I was hiding in the dark for comfort. Living in the light of God was the only thing that would help me,” Gough said. 

In the case of any first responders, stressful events over a long period of time can add up and at some point the post-traumatic stress will hit them like a rock. Sometimes it only takes one event like 9/11 to cause PTSD. “The first responders see people at their worst. People expect first responders to be miracle workers, but we’re not God,” Gough said. 

Gough’s advice to the audience was “drop the pride. If you need help, get it. There’s no shame in asking for help.” 

On 9/11 everybody was the same color – gray. “It was humanity, helping humanity. It’s amazing what 15 years has done. Victims helped each other escape and others led others to Jesus,” Gough said. “While they were running out, we were running in. All gave some of their lives, and some gave all of their lives.” Like Jesus, the first responders laid down their lives for the life of the sheep. (John 10:11) he said. 

First responders and volunteers from Ground Zero and Fresh Kills landfill are still suffering. As many as 1,600 people have died since 9/11 from respiratory issues, cancer and more all from Ground Zero. Sixty thousand men and women are sick, with 4,000 having cancer related to their work, Gough said.

“Never forget to place our trust in God and our faith in Jesus Christ. With God there is hope for a better tomorrow,” Gough concluded. Gough is now a pastor at New Limerick Baptist Church having fully accepted that God has a purpose for him. 

The service concluded with a bag piper playing Amazing Grace.  

Boy Scout Troop 51 provided the flag ceremony, Angela Searles was the pianist who leads the audience in patriotic songs and three pastors prayed individual prayers for police officers, firefighters, EMS and the military. 

The event was organized by Searles and children’s pastor Jimmy Lewis from Windham Assembly of God, pastor Peter Lagasse from  Cornerstone Assembly of God and Anthony McKeown from Hope Fellowship. The three churches created Windham Matters, a program that expresses their appreciation to stakeholders in the community. “Many have jobs that are thankless, teachers, firefighters, police.” 

They try to do special things for them at least once a month in hopes of building relationships with the community. 

Each first responder who attended was given a book titled, “Hope For My World…the Book of Hope,” which is a paraphrasing of The Bible for them to use in times of strife. Everyone in attendance was encouraged to give the men in uniform hugs on their way out.