As Lewiston prepares for a special City Council meeting Tuesday night to address a surge in youth gun violence, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R) said federal law enforcement agencies stand ready to assist the city, telling The Maine Wire that local officials are “just a phone call away” from additional federal support.
Collins made the remarks Saturday while attending the opening of the new Maine Mill, where she spoke with The Maine Wire about the recent violence that has shaken Maine’s second-largest city.
The senator said she has been working with federal law enforcement officials and is prepared to help connect Lewiston with additional resources if city leaders determine they are needed.
“The Lewiston Police Department is just a phone call away,” Collins told The Maine Wire, emphasizing her commitment to helping curb the recent increase in youth gun violence.
Collins said she has met with newly appointed U.S. Attorney Andrew Benson, who has also met with the Lewiston Police Department to discuss the recent shootings and the federal resources available through the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
She also said she recently met with officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), who have pledged their support to Lewiston as local and federal authorities work to combat violent crime.
The ATF serves as the federal government’s primary agency for investigating firearms trafficking, violent firearms offenses, gang-related crime, illegal gun possession, explosives violations and arson. The agency regularly works alongside state and local police departments to trace firearms used in crimes, investigate illegal gun networks, identify repeat violent offenders and pursue federal firearms prosecutions that often carry significantly tougher penalties than comparable state charges.
The senator’s comments come as Lewiston continues to grapple with a string of shootings involving juveniles that have fueled growing public concern and prompted city leaders to convene a special meeting dedicated solely to public safety.
The Lewiston City Council’s special meeting will be held Tuesday, June 30, at 6 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room at Lewiston High School, 156 East Avenue. The meeting is expected to include presentations from city officials, law enforcement leaders and members of the public as officials seek solutions to the city’s escalating youth violence.
While Collins says federal resources are available, Gov. Janet Mills and her administration have yet to publicly announce any additional state response to the recent violence in Lewiston.
According to numerous Lewiston residents, emails have been sent to the governor’s office requesting state assistance as shootings involving juveniles have continued to rise. Residents who spoke with The Maine Wire said they have not received a response to those requests.
The Maine Wire has also repeatedly sought comment from Gov. Mills regarding the ongoing violence in Lewiston. This reporter traveled to the governor’s office in Augusta seeking comment and again attempted to question the governor during Saturday’s event in Lewiston. As of publication, Gov. Mills had not responded to The Maine Wire’s questions regarding the recent surge in youth gun violence or residents’ requests for additional state assistance.
The contrast has become increasingly noticeable as federal officials, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the ATF, have expressed a willingness to work alongside Lewiston law enforcement while residents continue waiting for a public response from Augusta.
Tuesday’s meeting is expected to draw significant public interest as residents, city officials and law enforcement leaders discuss strategies to address the city’s recent spike in youth gun violence.
For Collins, the message was clear: if Lewiston officials need additional federal assistance, she said she is prepared to help bring those resources to the city.
“All they have to do is call,” Collins told The Maine Wire.
Sorry, no federal funds, get the money from any recovered fraud money.
Why, the city is not willing to help ICE, so why help them Lewiston. It will just be more wasted money, probably end up as fraud.
Collins brings solutions . Platner would bring porta potties .
Choose wisely .
Farmers put magnets in cows stomachs to attract trash and keep it from spreading. Maybe they should just leave lewiston the way it is.
Fortunately, one may drive though Lewiston on the Thruway at 70 miles an hour and be relatively safe.
When the inevitable hurricane eventually hits and the coast of Maine is devastated, who would you rather have to call?
Susan Collins, or Mein Oyster Fuher?
LouiseWoods is an idiot!!
She’s actually stumping for a 30 plus year ugly aipac RINIO slave girl.
Federal troops in our communities are absolutely contrary to the US Constitution!!!
LouiseWoods s a coward loyalist. She would have been against the American revolution.
Susan Commie Collins has been in congress for 30 years. She has yet to bring solutions to anything. In fact, Lewiston has done nothing but go down hill under Susan Commie Collins and her 30 years in congress.
The problem in Lewiston is NO JOBS and an influx of unskilled migrants. Federal police will not solve that. Federal police in our communities is never the answer.
Remember that time Trump started and LOST a war with Iran right after he sent federal police to Minneapolis and made a complete arse out of himself? I believe nazi Barbie got fired!?
Trump started the war looking for a quick win after huuuge failure in Minneapolis. Hahahaha🫤!
Susan Commie Collins is looking for round two.
Stock up on popcorn!!!
Just bring in ICE agents…a lot of them…and not just to Lewiston. ICE would solve most of the problems!
Oh boy, that’ll fix the problem right away! Any city in Maine already has access to the Feds, just ask them. She’s grasping at anything that could be seen as her being “relevant” and “caring” to try and boost her campaign. That’s what you get Maine for not putting her out to pasture years ago and running a true conservative.
In the famous words of ole Ronnie….”I’m with the government and we’re here to help” Problem Reaction Solution
So let’s lift the lid on this pickle barrel.
190 million?
Print money? Inflation. Hidden tax for the citizentry THINKING their getting something back. mmmmm
Scrape (root word rape) money from the United States for one state? mmmm Wonder how people in Kentucky feel about their tax money being ” taken from” them and “given to” …you fill in the blank.
i.e. Your body your choice. Yup, BUT don’t expect my neighbors to pay for it.
Claw back for tax dollars paid from Maine residents? Nope, don’t think so. I will say, most likely corporations and repopulation plans. Folks out west know a bit about this>
Tie yourselves to the mast folks, and prepare for heavy rolls.
We need to do something in order to curb this nasty trend of gun violence and entitled losers running rampant in Lewiston. Local officials are content to bury their heads in the sand, just to sit and watch. Funny how the outcry was Lewiston Strong after the shooting and now shootings are just too common now. They don’t learn from the past now do they!