A Puffin, Sculpted by Deceased Maine Artist Bernard Langlais, Has Found a Home on the Second Floor of City Hall. He Resides There Under the Auspices of the Portland Public Art Committee. (Please do Not Feed Him!)

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,353)

David Schectz, of the Portland Police Department, informed members of the West End Neighborhood Association , there will be an increased police presence in the area in the foreseeable future.  The monthly WENA meeting was held at Reiche School and facilitated by Ian Jacobs,president of the neighborhood group last night.

Late last month, mhn.com reported that multiple burglaries had been reported by the Police Department in both Parkside and the West End of Portland. The breakins were during the daytime and usually through unlocked doorways and open windows. Several days later, mhn.com reported that a Richard Coleman, 29, was arrested on Saturday, June 27th on  Cumberland Avenue in connection with two of those breakins. It was believed at the time of his arrest that he might be linked to the other burglaries in the area.  That appears to be the case according to Schectz.

The new but temporary police presence will be two officers on bikes in the area between 2:00 am – 8:00 am.. Schectz could not say how many days a week this will happen or for how long.  He urged residents to lock doors and keep any items of value in cars out of sight, because they often tempt people to break into cars.

There has been an increase of bicycle thefts in Portland generally as well as copper thefts city-wide.  He did not elaborate on details. MHN.com has asked the city to expand on those statements.

Jacobs announced the start of a membership drive for WENA.  Currently, the group is focused on adding businesses to the membership.  A list of business members will be provided in the near future so that members can patronize those businesses specifically.