Three recent assaults in the city, one of which resulted in the death of a Glenwood Avenue man, have prompted the Westbrook police to step up patrols and begin to organize neighborhood watch groups.

Police Chief Paul McCarthy said the assault on Douglas Wilcox that resulted in his death last month as well as incidents on Foster and Seavey streets have raised concerns for some residents over the safety of their neighborhoods.

Three teenagers, Wade DePalma, 19, of Bridge Street; Nicholas Lavigne, 19, of Pierce Street and Alexander Layug, 18, of Massachusetts Avenue, Portland, were arrested on Friday and charged with manslaughter in connection with a July 3 assault on Wilcox that resulted in his death on July 7.

In addition, police are investigating two other recent assaults that have resulted in injury. On Aug. 1, an 18-year-old Sargent Street man was stabbed during a fight between two juveniles on Seavey Street. Police said the man’s injuries were not life threatening and a juvenile male, whose name was not released, has been arrested and charged with assault in connection with the incident.

The third assault occurred on Aug. 2 when a Foster Street resident was assaulted after he asked a group, who police say were being loud and vulgar on the street, to quiet down. McCarthy said the man, whose name was not released, “was beaten up pretty badly.” He did not know the extent of the man’s injuries.

McCarthy said Bruce Scott, age unavailable, of the Hamlet, has been arrested in connection with this incident and he is also facing charges of assault.

While the three assaults happened in a relatively short time, McCarthy said police do not believe they are connected in any way. “These incidents are not related in any way, other than the fact that the suspects resorted to violence as a means to solve their immediate problems,” he said.

In response, McCarthy said police are working on increasing enforcement by deploying additional officers to patrol areas where there have been a number of reported assaults.

While there will be an increased police presence in those areas, McCarthy said the police are also looking for residents to get involved in making sure their neighborhoods are safe. “Police officers have a full time responsibility to keep this community and citizens safe,” said McCarthy. “The community has a responsibility as well. That is to report suspicious incidents and activities to the police department.”

McCarthy said police are currently working with several neighborhoods in the city to organize and train community watch groups. He said there would be an organizational meeting about this issue on Aug. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Public Safety Building on Main Street. All residents are invited to attend. For more information, call the Westbrook Police at 854-0644.

Copy the Story Link