Heavy law enforcement on Saco helps to curb major offenses

By Laura M. Russo

Fryeburg police say they were kept busy on the Saco River last weekend, but Bob Tagliaferri, manager of Saco Bound Canoe and Kayak, says the infractions were minor compared to past summers.He attributes the improvement to increased police presence and public relations efforts.We do think its getting better this year, said Tagiaferri. A lot of the reason is Fryeburg police and other agencies are doing a great job. Were not seeing the more severe violations as much.Those problems could range from intoxicated individuals falling into campfires, to personal assaults with dangerous weapons. According to Fryeburg Police Chief Wayne Brooking, arrests and summonses for public drinking, criminal mischief, improper safety equipment, possession of fireworks (which are illegal in Maine), fishing without a license and possession of marijuana were issued from Saturday, July 21, and Sunday, July 22.This was the busiest weekend this summer, as far as the amount of (law) enforcement, said Brooking. It didnt seem like large numbers of people were on the river; the weather might have kept them away because although it turned out good, it was forecast as bad up until the last minute. At Fiddlehead Campground, two arrests were made Saturday, July 21, for possession of fireworks and for reckless conduct, when fireworks were set off towards a group of people. Three more arrests were made for criminal mischief when Fiddleheads picnic tables were thrown into campfires. Those arrested were vacationers.There were no locals involved, Brooking said.On July 22, five people were summonsed for public drinking two at Walkers landing and three at Lovewells Pond landing. River patrols were conducted by Fryeburg Police and the Maine Warden Service over the weekend. Although boaters do not have to wear them, appropriately-sized, wearable life jackets must be accessible for each person in a canoe or kayak. Brooking said over both days, 26 summonses accrued for boaters not having proper safety equipment (life jackets), three for fishing without a license, and one for possession of marijuana.We expect the next two to three weekends to be as busy, or busier, Brooking said, historically, they are.Three arrests and three summonses for illegal importation of alcohol over Maine state lines were also issued on Fryeburg roads.A summons is a lesser charge for a smaller amount of alcohol, Brooking said. When looking at statistics for river-revelers last weekend, Tagliaferri said while the numbers were down from the same weekend last year, he still believed it was the busiest this season.He said while considering statistics, one should keep in mind that Fiddlehead Campground is situated on the river, but that a significant portion of visitors drive directly there to camp, and arent actually traveling downstream. Therefore these people may not be reached by the river blocks and other attempts for police and river runners to educate them.Fiddlehead Campground has started hiring weekend police for detail, however.Education is critically important at this time of year, Tagliaferri said. The more we remind people to take care of their trash, and respect others and the environment, the more theyll remember.The river runners who work boat put-ins and take-outs are also reporting a distinction this summer, according to Tagliaferri, who is also the executive director of the Saco River Recreation Council. He said at weekly meetings, his and competitors employees have reported feeling good about the people theyve talked to on the river.Tagliaferri said the trend for late July is a younger crowd on the river, and while still busy in the beginning of August, the crowd matures a bit.Those with intentions of breaking the law will know that enforcement is out this year, he said. Law enforcement officials are doing a wonderful job maintaining the atmosphere that (offenders) are going to get caught, and hiring detail at put-in and take-out spots is a positive thing. Were seeing the benefits of that this season.