The Westbrook Police are seeking the public’s assistance to fight crime through the creation of a new tip-line system.

Police have seen an increase in drug law violations and drug related crime, including robberies and assaults. They have seen an increase in recurring criminal mischief, including vandalism to public and private property and vehicles throughout the city. Police have seen a rise in sexual assaults and other predatory behavior that warrants aggressive action by the police who will benefit from a more active and engaged partnership with citizens.

The Westbrook Police recognize that successful collaboration with the citizens they serve is the key to successfully combating many of the social problems the city faces. Police also recognize that citizens may be reluctant to come forward with information for a variety of reasons.

The Westbrook Police would like to encourage every citizen in Westbrook to take some personal responsibility for combating crime in the city, if for no other reason than to protect the children in our community who are so adversely affected by crime and disorder.

Police encourage citizens to call them directly if they see criminal behavior, suspicious behavior or conduct that poses a threat to people or property in the city. Police would be grateful for anyone willing to provide their name and contact information, which always strengthens their ability to take action.

For those citizens who would be more likely to help if they could do so anonymously, police want to make it as easy as they can for them.

New Tip Line Options:

Police have created three new ways for the public to communicate information to police while maintaining anonymity. It is important that members of the public provide us with as much detail as possible when they communicate a tip so that we can respond successfully to the information.

Citizens wishing to report information to the police may now do so in any one of the following ways:

• A citizen can call our Westbrook Crime Tip Hot Line at 591-8117

(Note: This is not a substitute for calling 911 in an emergency.)

• A citizen can e-mail a tip to [email protected]

• A citizen can text message a tip from their cell phone to 650-9048

Please spread the word:

Many people in our community who are closest to the action don’t read the newspaper or listen to the news, so we are asking people to spread the word about these new tip line options.

Police plan to place flyers on Metro buses, distribute flyers in some of our neighborhoods and post flyers in some of our local businesses. Crime in Westbrook is everyone’s business.

Unsolved mysteries and tip opportunities:

Here are just some of the ongoing investigations you can help us with:

• In 1987 Alice Hawkes was the victim of a homicide at 8 Spring St., Apartment 3 in Westbrook.

• In 2005 and 2006, 11 motor vehicles were set on fire in the city.

• In June of 2007, Kevin Foley was the victim of a homicide in Woodlawn Cemetery in Westbrook.

• On July 19, a local woman reported being a victim of an assault with a blunt object and an attempted sexual assault at 11 p.m. while walking on Brackett Street.

• On Sept. 4, a local woman reported being a victim of an attempted sexual assault at 10:30 p.m. while walking through the Walker Memorial Library parking lot by a male she described as 30-40 years of age wearing rings, dressed well with an unshaven face.

• During September of 2007 several homes and vehicles were damaged by metal shots possibly propelled by a paintball or pellet gun.

• During the calendar year 2007, police have experienced an increase in metal thefts, which have included catalytic converters from cars and copper from commercial sites, and a very recent theft involving wire being stripped from a utility pole on the north side of the city.

• Every day some new criminal behavior occurs – Please help us. Take a stand. Share what you know, see or hear with the Westbrook Police.