Janine Kaserman Listens Outside the Hilltop Superette Recently.

Sign in the Window of Community Police Office Has No Contact Information on it.

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,557)

Janine Kaserman has been a popular fixture on Munjoy Hill since 1995.  But recently it has been closed while it relocates to a new space. “So the news that the Hill Community Policing Office has reopened its doors at the Cummings Center on the Hill is welcome news to the neighborhood.

The Community Policing Office first opened back in 1995 at the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Office (MHNO) building on Congress Street.  Former board member Gary Marcissco rebuilt the back of the building to make it suitable for the policing office – a time consuming and labor intensive project.  It’s been from that office that Kaserman and a police officer have worked ever since.

In June the lease with the MHNO ended and the city decided not to renew it. (The MHNO was looking for a significant rent increase as well, although that probably was not a consideration in the city’s decision to relocate to the nearby Cummings Center)

Space at the nearby Cummings Center became available last month when the Parks and Recreation Office was relocated to Canco Road.  That left a large and rent free space available for Kasmerman’s office and Officer Smith who shares the space with her. Since June Kaserman has been working out of several different locations in the area – including the East Bayside Policing Center in Kennedy Park.

The new space remains a work-in-progress according to Kaserman.  For example, the city is working on getting a door bell installed because the outside door is now locked to the public.  It wasn’t previously.  The space is also home to the Portland Fire Department Training Office and a Youth Services Officer.

Janine Kaserman can be reached at: 756-8135 or at:  janinek@portlandmaine.gov