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Bridgton Police Will Not Cover Harrison

February 03, 2009 - BRIDGTON -- Bridgton police will not be providing service to Harrison, after selectmen there expressed concern that police would be stretched too thin.

“I just don’t see where it’s going to benefit Bridgton at all,” said Selectman Doug Taft Tuesday.

Harrison Town Manager Bradley Plante said the Board of Selectmen in his town had asked him to look into alternatives to contracting with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office. The town pays for a full-time deputy in the winter and two full-time deputies in the summer.

“It’s a matter of cost and coverage,” Plante said. “With the budget situation, everything is on the table.”

Bridgton Police Chief David Lyons said providing police services to Harrison could be exhausting on the force’s staffing resources. Officers are already busy in Bridgton, Lyons said, and expanding to Harrison wasn’t a good idea. Lyons said the force helps the sheriff’s office in Harrison periodically, but not often, maybe once every two weeks.

Lyons, Lt. Peter Madura and Town Manager Mitchell Berkowitz compiled a proposal for how much to charge Harrison for various types of service. Harrison would have been charged between $112,000 and $151,000, depending on how many officers and hours were dedicated to the town.

However, Bridgton Selectmen said they thought the plan would detract from police service in Bridgton.

“I really feel it’ll take away from Bridgton’s capacity to provide services,” said Arthur Triglione Sr., chairman of the board.

By Julia Davis
Reporter - Lakes Region Weekly
Jan. 29, 2009


Lakes:
Regions: Sebago


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