LEWISTON, Maine — The Lewiston chief of police and other city leaders and community voices held a press conference Thursday afternoon to address the public regarding their immediate plans to tackle the recent uptick in violence, including a plan forward.
According to a news release issued by the city, the goal of the press conference was to share "plans for immediate action and future community engagement to reduce the incidences of violence in the community."
The press conference was held at 12:30 p.m. at council chambers in Lewiston City Hall.
Lewiston's police Chief David St. Pierre was joined by Androscoggin County District Attorney Neil McLean as well as other stakeholders and local partners, according to the release.
"The plan includes increased law enforcement presence, enhanced coordination with state and federal law enforcement agencies, innovative approaches to community engagement, and a call to action to the state legislature and judicial system," the release stated.
Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline began the news conference acknowledging the uptick in violence and laid out the plan urging the community to pull together all stakeholders, policing and beyond, to help turn the tide.
"While this is concerning, I have complete faith in our city's ability to address these issues head on together," Sheline said. "This is not a challenge that our police force can solve alone. Gun violence is not just a law enforcement issue. It is a community issue. We've seen before how powerful we can be when we come together after the events of Oct. 25."
After holding a moment of silence for victims of gun violence, St. Pierre provided an update from the perspective of local law enforcement, stressing that the recent surge in violence a problem that needs larger community and state solutions.
"I want to begin by saying what I that I understand the community's frustration. What's more, I share your frustration," St. Pierre said. "I know all of us want to rest easy knowing that the people we love and care about are safe."
The city's chief of police said officers are doing their part to ensure the community is safe, but he also stressed that it's only part of the solution.
"I want to be very clear from the outset here: The only acceptable number of shootings in any community is zero. And yet, over the last eight months, Lewiston has seen 27 incidents where shots were fired," St. Pierre said.
Earlier this week, police told NEWS CENTER Maine that the majority of those shootings involved teenagers and young adults, a point that was stressed again during the Thursday news conference.
St. Pierre and Superintendent of Schools Jake Langlais addressed concerns from community members in the wake of the recent gun violence incidents.
"We all want to rest easy knowing that the people we love and care about are safe. Lewiston can be a safe place for everyone if we work together to stop gun violence in our community. We showed the world last October that we were and remain #LewistonStrong," St. Pierre and Langlais said in a press release.
The release also stated that the police and school departments have worked to upgrade "security systems, sensors, diligence, communication." Police will also increase patrols at all schools in the district, according to the release.
Langlais said Wednesday morning that student and staff safety is always a top priority, adding the district has a strong working relationship with the police department.
“It’s going to take us all to solve this challenge that we’re facing with the gun violence," he said.
Langlais also advised all community members to remember the message of "see something, say something."
Leaders of several local organizations also took the microphone Thursday during the news conference to share these community goals and address their role in the plan.
Amran Osman is the founder of Generational Noor, one of many of those local partnerships with the city in part of the community response plan.
"Every day it seems we are faced with another shooting, another loss," Osman said. "We must unite and support one another and work towards meaningful solutions."
Law enforcement officials shared hopes these collaborative partnerships will strengthen community trust in police.
St. Pierre emphasized that many of the problems require higher level responses that cannot be done at a community level, such as a problem they highlighted in the judicial system.
"Cases are often dismissed or significantly plead down," he said. "This cannot continue."
St. Pierre said the police department has been meeting with Androscoggin County District Attorney Neil McLean as part of that larger effort to address the issue of criminals who are arrested and charged but then fall through the cracks in the judicial system when charges are lessened or cases dismissed.
It's an issue they believe traces back to a shortage of public attorneys.
The Lewiston Police Department said issues like this may translate into legislative requests, so they are partnering with lawmakers at the State House with the hopes of igniting policy changes that could address these problems.
"We're eager to work with the city to provide the resources they need to keep our community and the people living here safe and feeling protected," Sen. Peggy Rotundo, D-Androscoggin, said when asked about the partnership. "We all share the same goal, and we will all be working together to realize that goal."
St. Pierre also said they are planning to host informal monthly meetings to update the community on the progress that many in the community desire to see.
"We need you to deliver on the changes you promise here today and be proactive in addressing the issues we face," Osman said.
NEWS CENTER Maine's Sam Rogers and Pearl Small contributed to this report.