The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has received a donation of two new devices aimed at combating domestic violence.
Speaking before the Lincoln County Commissioners Jan. 3, LCSO Det. Robert McFetridge said the new items, donated by Wiscasset-based Northeast Security, would serve a similar function as a personal medical alert system: a domestic violence victim will be given a pendant or wrist watch with a button that, when pressed, notifies an on duty security officer at Northeast Security.
According to McFetridge, upon receiving an alarm, Northeast Security will contact Lincoln County Communications to dispatch law enforcement.
Unlike a typical alert system, however, the alarm given to domestic violence victims will be silent. While medical alert systems prompt a call back from an on duty official at Northeast Security, any distress call from a victim will be automatically sent to an area police officer.
Northeast Security provided a total of four devices to the Lincoln and Sagadahoc County Sheriff Offices at no cost.
According to McFetridge, the alert systems will be installed in the user’s home. While the system’s range would prevent someone far outside the home from notifying the authorities, it is wide enough for a user to send a signal from a guesthouse or a different floor of an apartment building.
Though the Sheriff’s Office will only have two systems, McFetridge said it will be possible to borrow from other county departments if needed.
McFetridge said he will be developing a policy with the Sheriff’s Office and 9-1-1 Communications Center to determine when a person would qualify to receive the system and the procedures for responding to a call.
According to Major Ken Mason of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, the new cruiser will replace the vehicle lost when a motorist struck LCSO Deputy Justin Drake’s 2009 Chevy Impala police cruiser in Nobleboro, Dec. 12. Drake was not harmed in the accident.
Mason said the LCSO will receive $11,350 for the lost cruiser from the motorist’s insurance company.
“It was really well passed half-life, and we’re getting more than half for it,” Mason said.
Mason suggested to the Commissioners that some of the funds for the new cruiser be taken from County’s reserve account.