Tell us a little about the program in general.
The cadet program is a partnership between
Portland Downtown
and the
Portland Police Department
. Through ordinance enforcement, the cadets address quality of life issues that a resident, business owner, or visitor sees, focusing as well on making perceptions of Portland a clean and safe urban environment in which to live, work, and visit. In 2016, the program received an
Award of Excellence
in the Leadership and Management category from the
International Downtown Association
.
On an average day, what do the cadets do?
Cadets are training for law enforcement or other safety, security, or military careers, and the program gives them valuable hands-on experience in the field of community policing to complement their career training. They are sworn in as constables with the
City of Portland
, and they watch for and report on safety issues, educate the public on local ordinances, and have the authority to issue citations for ordinance violations. In addition to patrolling the downtown area, cadet duties include talking with business owners, engaging with the public at events, and connecting with homeless outreach teams.
How is the pandemic affecting the cadets' work?
Downtown Portland is an area that typically sees an increase in the number of people visiting in the pleasant summer months due to tourism and local vacations alike - Maine is Vacationland! This year is proving to be significantly quieter than previous years, which has been giving the cadets time for more meaningful conversations with residents and patrons of downtown parks, as well as to assist with outreach to businesses for
Portland Downtown
.
Why is the cadet program important?
Portland is generally a safe city and sees crime rate reductions annually, but perception translates to reality for many. The seasonal influx of tourism equates to many newcomers who are unfamiliar with the city’s ordinances, such as where it is appropriate to use tobacco products, resulting in conflicts that are easily resolved through outreach and education rather than police intervention. With both real and perceived safety being the key concern for property- and business-owners and residents, the cadet program bridges the gap between enforcing ordinances and supporting the quality of life in downtown Portland.
