Greenville residents asked to call police department with their concerns

GREENVILLE — The Greenville Police Department has had a busy summer, but some residents have reached out to officials with concerns about what they see as a lack of police presence.

Police Chief Jim Carr explained how the three-officer department is operating during an Aug. 5 Select Board meeting. 

The police roster includes Carr, Deputy Chief Josh Guay and Lt. Bill Plume, along with 11 reserve officers. Those with concerns should reach out to the police department directly rather than contact the town office or Select Board members, he said.

“The town office shouldn’t be fielding complaints there’s no police presence,” Carr said.

Someone driving into town for their daily coffee at the same time each day may falsely assume no officer is working because they do not see them, Carr said. Typically one person is on duty at a time.

In the past two months, the Greenville Police Department has handled 299 calls, including 52 traffic offenses, 13 welfare checks, 14 property damage accidents and three personal injury accidents with two involving log trucks. The commercial vehicles were not at fault in these incidents, Carr said.

In June a Brewer man died after crashing into the rear end of a log truck on Route 15 and the main road into Greenville needed to be shut down for half a day. Police have spent about 20 hours investigating the crash and expect to spend 20 more.

Other calls included six thefts, an operating under the influence, 10 agency assists and 26 911 misdials or hangups.

“People seem to think we’re sitting around, twiddling our thumbs and eating bon-bons all day long. It’s not the case by any means,” Carr said.

Calls are prioritized, so a complaint of someone moving a barrel to get to a parking spot quicker would not have the urgency of an 83-year-old woman reported lost on her way to Florida, Carr said. Police spent 15 hours tracking the woman, who was found safe out of state.

“A basic, simple property damage accident, nobody’s hurt, no car’s moved, we’re still looking at an hour and half tied up into that,” the chief said. Information is gathered from the parties involved, an accident report is written and a form is submitted to the state. More work is needed if there is an injury.

“When we’re doing that, we’re not running radar on Lily Bay Road,” Carr said.“One person can’t do everything.”

Plume addressed complaints about spending multiple hours at his business, Northwoods Fitness, while on duty.  Plume trains to be physically ready for potential scenarios.

Going through his schedule for July 29, Plume responded to a civil complaint about an illegally parked boat on Highland Avenue and helped a driver with keys locked in their car before going to Northwoods Fitness soon after 10 a.m. While exercising Plume was conducting interviews pertaining to a sexual allegation investigation.

Later, back out in the community, he responded to calls including a traffic stop for speeding, suspicious vehicle and meeting with a home owner pertaining to the investigation, an ATV complaint and a report of juveniles throwing rocks.

“I think we have an obligation to make sure we are educated and before we get hasty with a lot of complaints that we understand what’s going on and people need to understand,” Select Chair Geno Murray said, saying the police department has the support of the board.

In other business, Preo Park improvements have begun at the green space on the east cove of Moosehead Lake, funded through an $11,110 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation with the application made through the Northern Forest Center in a team effort, Town Manager Mike Roy said

“It’s coming into a beautiful little spot,” he said.

The center applied for funding from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based foundation for an outdoor investment project. The Preo Park improvements will directly advance the strategic goal of improving recreational access close to town.

Residents and visitors will be able to enjoy access to the lake and sunset views without needing to leave the community. The neighborhood and town’s overall destination appeal would be enhanced.

The parking lot would be improved with shale. Picnic tables will be placed at the park.

Recreation Director Sally Tornquist’s last day before retirement will be Aug. 29.

Seven applications came in, the rec committee met with four candidates and an offer is expected to go out by the end of the week.

Ground should be broken later in the month on a $3.15 million municipal facility to house pre-kindergarten and childcare facilities and a community center on the Greenville Consolidated School Pritham Avenue campus, the Youth, Education and Sports Building with construction costs covered by grants and donations.

Campus traffic will be altered during construction, with the entrance closed and what was the exit to be open for two-way traffic.

The Fourth of July fireworks are scheduled for the evening of the holiday. The town has $12,500 for the display with the cost at $15,000.

“Last year we were lucky to have some donations,” Roy said.