Our cities are at a crossroads.
Last Friday, following the violent death of an individual in Deering Oaks Park, the Portland Police Department held a press conference to announce changes in in their policing strategy as the number of shootings in the city had risen to 42 over the first 8 months of the year. Just a few days later, a man and a woman were shot multiple times in the heart of the Old Port, adding to an already grim total that is now 230% higher than last year.
At the press conference, Chief Gorham reported that our officers are experiencing “a sense of lawlessness” on our streets, a statement supported the recent spate of violence, as well as the 17 stabbings, and 337 overdoses that have occurred in Portland this year. Our thoughts and prayers go out to these dedicated officers, who are responding to these heartbreaking and tragic scenes day in and day out.
Those of us with friends and relatives in Portland can’t help but worry about our loved ones’ safety as we see the news reports. As we venture into Portland for work, to catch a ball game, to get medical care, shop, or to simply enjoy a night on the town, we feel the need to remain vigilant in our once peaceful city and worry that if this “sense of lawlessness” continues unabated, it will spread to other Maine communities, to our neighborhoods, and to our doorsteps.
The causes driving this historic surge in violence are not difficult to identify: a worsening economy, a housing crisis, food insecurity, an epidemic of homelessness, a growing desperation among our young people being priced out of a decent life, an opioid crisis fueled by cartels smuggling Fentanyl across our porous borders, permissive prosecutors, and failed policies.
Combined, it’s created a perfect storm for lawlessness, and comes at a time when our police departments are already overworked, understaffed, and under attack. In Portland, the Police Department’s ranks have been depleted, and our officers are facing this rising tide of lawlessness with 25 fewer officers than necessary. Officers and citizens are also being forced to deal with the same suspects over and over, because our county jail is operating with only half of the corrections officers that it requires and is only able to accept suspects who have been arrested on felony charges. Individuals that would have been arrested and incarcerated in the past can now only be given a summons and sent on their way.
Understandably, morale amongst law enforcement continues to plummet, as politicians on the left choose to denigrate all those who have made the sacrifice to serve their community with a broad brush, instead of focusing on those who have violated their oath.
Politicians demand that already struggling departments be defunded, and others, like Chellie Pingree, have voted to end qualified immunity for our officers. It’s not a surprise that recruitment levels are at a third of what they were in Maine just a few years ago. Why would anyone choose a career in law enforcement in this environment, when your own representative in Congress believes that you should lose your savings, your home, and everything that your family has worked for in a political atmosphere where even a false allegation can be life altering.
Law enforcement officers that I have met along the campaign trail from local, county, state and federal agencies are all telling me the same thing: the constant rhetoric that they are the bad guys make it harder for them to do their jobs, and puts police officers at greater risk.
After responding to a shooting in Portland on the Fourth of July, and while trying to render aid to the wounded gunshot victim, several Portland PD officers came under attack from a “hostile” crowd armed with “mortar-style fireworks”.
A hostile crowd, attacking officers, in Portland, Maine. How have we allowed things to reach this point?
We need to turn the tide and unabashedly back the blue.
My Democrat opponent, First District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has been silent on rising violent crime in our state. Maine deserves better. Maine needs someone who will fight for them.
We must come together and demand that the lawlessness on our streets be addressed by politicians in DC and we must vote to remove politicians like Chellie Pingree, who want to focus on the problems instead of the solutions.
If you are able, please join me on the plaza in front of the Portland City Hall this Thursday at 11:00 a.m. Let’s show the men and women in law enforcement that we care about them, that we have their back, and that we will fight for a change.
