LEWISTON — The Lewiston City Council took its first active step to attempt to curb youth gun violence in the city on Tuesday by authorizing an additional $200,000 in overtime to the police department.

According to City Administrator Bryan Kaenrath, who introduced the measure, the city has experienced 20 shootings since January. The majority of those, he said, have been committed by children under 18.

“Whether it's that they're not being mandated to participate in programs that rehabilitate or they’re not engaging, we’re not doing what we need to do for our youth in the long run,” said Lewiston Police Chief Carly Conley.

In June, the community held a meeting to discuss ways to prevent youth gun violence. Suggested solutions ranged from more community youth programs to more frequent incarceration for convicted offenders. 

Kaenrath told the council on Tuesday that the community initiatives will take more time, but increasing police presence in Lewiston is meant to be an emergency measure. He said the funding for overtime is meant specifically for community policing via foot and bike patrols.

Funding for overtime will come from the police department’s salary reserve.

Several residents and councilors agreed that this measure should be the first step and that the city should eventually encourage more youth-based community organizations to prevent children from getting into criminal activity in the first place.

“Public safety deserves to remain at the forefront of our community conversations, and I commend the city for taking steps to move that discussion forward,” said Jen Hogan, president and CEO of Community Credit Union in Lewiston. “I also appreciate hearing our city administrator say that tonight’s vote is just one step in a larger initiative.”  

Before the vote, Councilor Bret Martel brought forward an amendment to the measure to add $55,000 to the request for the police to get an automated drone. The drone, according to Conley, would automatically deploy to certain police calls, and didn’t need an officer to fly it. It would, however, need an officer to supervise it. 

Unlike the police overtime, the money for the drone would come from the city’s general fund balance.

The police department is already receiving one of these drones in a few weeks. Conley said the additional drone would help cover more areas in the city. Martel said allotting the additional money would be necessary for public safety, though Finance Director Tracy Roy cautioned against using funds from the already low general fund balance. 

“When you say that the fund balance needs to be there if an emergency should happen, emergencies are happening all the time in this city,” Martel said. “And that’s what this is, it’s a response to an emergency.” 

However, the council voted the amendment down 2-5, with Martel, and Councilor Susan Longchamps voting in favor. Councilor David Chittim said that since the first drone hasn’t come in yet, the council should wait to learn if it’s necessary for the department to have two.