Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

POLICE LOG

Kennebec Journal Staff

Troopers ready to enforce 'move over' law

Maine State Police are planning a push to get drivers to move over and slow down when passing stopped emergency vehicles.

The "move over" law requires motorists to give room to emergency vehicles in breakdown lanes. Drivers must move into the passing lane if possible or slow down when driving by vehicles with their emergency lights on.

"The law is aimed at giving police officers, firefighters, emergency workers and wrecker operators in the breakdown lane some space from passing motorists," Department of Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland said in a news release.

Passing drivers have struck 16 parked state police cruisers since 2003, said Col. Patrick Fleming, chief of the Maine State Police.

"It makes no difference whether the emergency lights are blue, red or amber. Passing motorists need to give those workers along the side of the road room to safely work," Fleming said.

Police will step up enforcement Friday along the Maine Turnpike in York. A team of troopers will monitor passing traffic during traffic stops. Additional enforcement efforts are planed in the coming weeks.

"Troopers will hand out an informational card and motorists will be reminded of the law from electronic message boards along the turnpike," McCausland said.

AUGUSTA

WEDNESDAY

At 2:04 p.m., there was an accident on Union Street.

2:23 p.m., theft was reported on Washington Street.

3:24 p.m., there was an accident on Jewett Drive.

4:49 p.m., there was a fire alarm on Capitol Street.

5:01 p.m., there was a fire alarm on Willow Street.

5:18 p.m., there was a report of a drug offense at a Western Avenue business.

5:20 p.m., there was a report of a recent burglary on Carlisle Avenue.

5:52 p.m., shoplifting was reported at a Western Avenue business.

6:18 p.m., theft was reported at a Leighton Road business.

10:30 p.m., there was a disturbance on Northern Avenue.

10:56 p.m., there was a disturbance on Bridge Street.

11:10 p.m., there was a report of disorderly conduct on Gage Street.

THURSDAY

At 1:05 a.m., one person was taken to the hospital after a report of a disturbance on East Crescent Street.

1:58 a.m., there was a report of a burglary from a vehicle parked on Mount Vernon Avenue.

9:01 a.m., Deidrah Lee Stanchfield, 26, of Augusta was arrested on a warrant after a shoplifting complaint at a Hospital Street store.

9:12 a.m., theft was reported at a Washington Street business.

9:40 a.m., there was a hit-and-run accident on Cony Street.

10 a.m., there was a report of drug offenses at a Riverside Drive business.

11:14 a.m., there was suspicious activity on Sarahs Street.

11:24 a.m., there was suspicious activity on Crosby Street Place.

12:04 p.m., there was a disturbance on Middle Street.

12:25 p.m., there was an accident on Northern Avenue.

12:37 p.m., there was a shoplifting complaint at a State Street store.

12:41 p.m., there was a fire alarm on State Street.

12:49 p.m., a domestic disturbance was reported at the Eastside Boat Landing Park on Howard Street.

1:40 p.m., there was an accident on Civic Center Drive.

2:27 p.m., shoplifting was reported at a Western Avenue store.

2:34 p.m., there was a report of disorderly conduct on Crosby Street place.

2:35 p.m., there was an accident at the intersection of Route 3 and Riverside Drive.

3:07 p.m., there was a report of disorderly conduct at a Mount Vernon Avenue store.

3:14 p.m., trespassing was reported on North Street.

BELGRADE

WEDNESDAY

At 6:41 p.m., theft was reported on Manchester Road.

CHINA

WEDNESDAY

At 2:11 p.m., theft was reported at a Route 3 business.

3:15 p.m., there was a 911 hang-up on Legion Memorial Drive.

4:34 p.m., there was an accident on Main Street.

GARDINER

WEDNESDAY

At 10:59 a.m., an assault was reported on Pine Street.

3:59 p.m., there was a report of suspicious activity at the food bank on Brunswick Avenue.

5:26 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Main Avenue.

7:44 p.m., sex offenses were reported on Middle Street.

10:24 p.m., there was a report of a recent burglary on Mechanic Street.

11:04 p.m., theft was reported at a Bridge Street business.

THURSDAY

At 1:06 a.m., an assault was reported on Harrison Avenue.

3:05 a.m., there was a burglar alarm at a Water Street business.

HALLOWELL

WEDNESDAY

At 4:28 p.m., there was a report of a recent burglary on Winthrop Street.

11:51 p.m., there was a disturbance on Union Street.

SIDNEY

WEDNESDAY

At 10:36 p.m., there was an accident on Quaker Road.

VASSALBORO

WEDNESDAY

At 12:48 p.m., there was a report of vandalism on Dearborn Hill Court.

6:13 p.m., there was a burglar alarm at Vassalboro Community School on Webber Pond Road.

9:33 p.m., there was a burglar alarm at a Riverside Drive business.

11:59 p.m., there was a report of misuse of the emergency 911 system on Riverside Drive.

THURSDAY

At 6:27 a.m., there was an accident on Church Hill Road.

WINDSOR

WEDNESDAY

At 9:46 p.m., there was a report of a recent burglary on Weeks Mills Road.