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February 13

Early shift: Patrolling the roads

By GABE SOUZA

It's shortly before 10 p.m. as Doug Cropper guides his unmarked police cruiser to the side of Interstate 295 in South Portland. The 12-year Maine State Police veteran turns off his headlights and dims the interior, coming to a rest in the breakdown lane.

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The lights of a semi-truck streak by Maine State Police Trooper Doug Cropper's cruiser as he waits by the side of Interstate 295 on the watch for speeders.

Photos by Gabe Souza

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With his blue lights on, Cropper races down I-295 in Portland in pursuit of a speeder shortly after 1 a.m. on Dec. 16.

Additional Photos Below

EDITOR'S NOTE

This is the fifth and final installment of Early Shift, a photo project spotlighting workers in the Portland area who are at their jobs before the sun rises.

"We're completely dark now," he whispers.

It's not long before the high-pitched squeal of the radar gun indicates a sedan from Connecticut traveling at 75 mph, 20 mph faster than the posted limit of 55. Cropper drops the Interceptor into drive, turns on the blue lights, and takes off in pursuit.

It's just another stop in what has already been a busy evening for Cropper on the 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. shift.

"There's a lot to it," said Cropper, whose main patrol area covers the southern part of the interstate. "It's a whole different world. A lot of different stuff goes on that just doesn't happen during the daytime."

This particular night saw him stop numerous speeders, respond to a tipped-over trailer off Franklin Arterial, and put a trucker out of service because of an erroneous log book.

"Every day in this job, you try and learn something new, something about the law, something about yourself," the New York native said. "It's not normal for anyone to be working late night. Usually when it's dark out you should be in bed, but we're out here, patrolling the roads, making them safe for people who are trying to get home or trying to stay safe in their own beds."

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Additional Photos

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Cropper talks with Department of Transportation workers at the site of an accident cleanup on I-295 on Dec. 15.

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The trailer of a semi-truck provides the backdrop as Cropper writes an accident report inside his cruiser on I-295 on Dec. 15.

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Cropper talks with a DOT worker on Dec. 15 at the site of a cleanup of a tipped trailer close to the Franklin Arterial.

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Cropper talks with a driver after pulling him over for allegedly speeding on I-295 on Dec. 15.

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The red brake lights of a pulled-over vehicle and the blue strobes of his own cruiser combine to light Cropper's face as he dons his hat before stepping out of his cruiser on Dec. 15.

 


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