Scarborough police officers. Courtesy photo
In the wake of a tragic shooting incident that occurred in Lewiston on Oct. 25, law enforcement agencies in nearby towns were on high alert, taking steps to ensure the safety of their communities while assisting in the ongoing search for the suspect, Robert Card before he was found dead on Friday, Oct. 27.
The Scarborough Police Departmentincreased its efforts to safeguard the town and reassure its residents while card was still at large. Lieutenant Scott Vaughan of the Scarborough Police Department, Mark A. Holmquist, Scarborough chief of police, and Shara Dee of South Portland provided insights into their response to the threat.
In response to the question of how the town was addressing the threat while Card had not yet been found, Vaughan said, “The ‘active’ scene as of now is focused more in the area north of us. Our response to our local community has been to increase staffing to have a more visible presence in our community to help alleviate some of our community members’ anxiety while we all try to make sense of what has transpired in the last 20 hours. Our increased officer presence also adds an additional deterrent to anyone looking to commit crime within our community.”
He saId police had enhanced patrol coverage in designated areas, ensuring a visible law enforcement presence. He pointed out that aside from this increase in coverage, their safeguards remained the same as during a typical workday in law enforcement. “Our administration has been working closely with other departments within the town, particularly our school departments to offer any feedback we can regarding the safety of our school aged individuals in our community. We are also communicating closely with our counterparts in the fire department as well as town officials,” Vaughan said.
In a separate communication, Chief Mark A. Holmquist outlined how the town responded to the threat and added safeguards while searching for the shooter.
“We have increased our patrol coverage with an emphasis on our major roadways and presence around businesses,” he said. He added, “Aside from the increased coverage in designated areas, our safeguards remain the same as they would during a normal workday in law enforcement.”
Holmquist also provided information about the protocol for government buildings and schools. He said that town government buildings remained open with normal hours of operation. “We have communicated with the superintendent’s office regarding the decision to close schools today. We will continually update the superintendent’s office with information to assist them in making a decision to return to school,” Holmquist said. Keeping the safety of students and staff was their top priority, he said.
South Portland’s communications officer, Shara Dee said,”South Portland Schools and City buildings are closed today with the exception of public safety (Police and Fire Departments). South Portland Police officers are collaborating with State Police and other agencies in the Lewiston area to locate and arrest the suspect.”
A South Portland Police Vehicle. Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer
The Lewiston shootings were Maine’s deadliest, according to an article by Press Herald Staff Writer Emily Allen, with 18 people killed and 13 injured. The shootings occurred Wednesday night, Oct. 25. After more than two days of searching, police announced late Friday that they found suspect 40-year-old Robert Card, of Bowdoin, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside a box trailer at Maine Recycling Corp., about a mile from where his car was found, according to the article.
Four of the survivers were still in the hospital as of Monday, Oct. 30.
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