Issue
Public safety and policing: where Bangor's council candidates stand
At the Oct. 7 candidate forum, candidates repeatedly cited the police chief's account that the Bangor Police Department is about 20% short of officers, and that much of officers' time goes to calls tied to poverty, homelessness and substance use. Candidates differ on stricter enforcement of laws and ordinances, on the council's homeless crisis protocol that guides how officers respond, and on sending social workers or crisis teams instead of police. LWV forum, Oct. 7
What should the police do downtown and with homelessness, and who should handle mental-health calls?
Candidates in ballot order.
- Ballot position 01
Joe Leonard Incumbent
Says police work is not social work, with about half of officers' time going to poverty-related calls. Would invest in health and human services and turn the Street Plus program into a city-run ambassador program. LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 2:38:05
- Ballot position 02
Michael Furrow
Says there cannot be two sets of laws, one for homeless people and one for taxpayers; police must enforce all laws and ordinances without exception. LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 2:35:37
- Ballot position 03
Andrei Yermakov
Praises the Bangor Police Department and says officers should not be doing social work; wants a social-services liaison to take those calls. LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 2:42:28
- Ballot position 04
Anthony Cote
Running on "law and order." Says enforcing laws and ordinances equally for everyone would solve most problems; wants police and the sheriff's office to work together and more county jail capacity. LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 2:33:16
- Ballot position 05
James Gallagher
Praises police response downtown. Wants businesses to have a direct line to BCAT, the city's crisis team, instead of calling police. LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 2:36:14
- Ballot position 06
Terry Dinkins
Wants police to enforce laws equally and hold homeless residents accountable. Suggests borrowing sheriff's deputies or Brewer officers while Bangor police are about 20% short. LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 2:34:24
- Ballot position 07
Joseph Pratt
Says police enforce the law as the council directs, under the homeless crisis protocol the council chose to adopt in 2024; the council must change that policy for enforcement to change. LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 2:41:21
- Ballot position 08
Adam Baker
Wants police staffing raised by at least 20% and mental-health calls handled by mental-health providers instead of officers. LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 2:31:22
- Ballot position 09
Dawson Nevells
Wants the police department fully staffed, existing ordinances enforced, and new ones written where gaps exist. LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 2:40:13
- Ballot position 10
Katherine Devine
No public position found in the sources we reviewed.
- Ballot position 11
Jennifer McGinley Maskala
Wants clear standards enforced against theft, assault and drug dealing, saying hardship does not excuse harming others. LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 2:39:25
- Ballot position 12
John King
Wants more officers, and says police should have discretion to enforce ordinances or offer services. Would expand downtown's two-person night outreach crew. LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 2:36:58