Damariscotta’s new parking enforcement officer hopes the summer job with his hometown police department will be the beginning of a long career in law enforcement.
Luke Bibber has lived in Damariscotta for 12 of his 19 years. He graduated from Lincoln Academy in 2013.
Bibber studies criminal justice at Mount Ida College in Newton, Massachusetts. He plans to complete a bachelor’s degree and pursue a career in law enforcement.
“I like the community policing part of small-town law enforcement,” Bibber said. “I can’t wait to interact with the community and get to know the community better.”
Damariscotta Police Chief Ron Young said Bibber came with excellent recommendations from the Damariscotta Fire Department, where he is a firefighter. “He was highly regarded by the folks in town,” Young said.
The parking position offers a good place to start for young people who want to pursue a career in law enforcement, Young said. The parking officers serve as the eyes and ears of the department during the busy summer months downtown.
Damariscotta parking officers often go on to full-time careers with the department, Young said.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy Jared Mitkus and Maine Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Officer Jennifer Mitkus were Damariscotta parking officers before joining the patrol staff and eventually moving on to their current positions.
Bibber will split parking enforcement duties with veteran Parking Enforcement Officer John Mitkus. Bibber will work three days a week.
