BAR HARBOR POLICE LOG
Bar Harbor Pilots One of the Nation’s First EMS Direct Referral for Substance Use Disorder Programs
BAR HARBOR—Accidents and rides home dominated the police log this week. One of those accidents involved a transport via LifeFlight to an off-island medical facility.
The town also became a pilot program for a direct referral substance use disorder program.
Details about both of these events are below.
The following incidents occurred in Bar Harbor last week according to the Bar Harbor police log, which is publicly released information.
Monday, July 24, 2023
Officer Liam Harrington took a report of a noise complaint. No disposition was given.
Stephanie A. O’Brien, 49, of Mount Desert was driving a 2006 Dodge Durango south on Route 102 when she allegedly lost control and left the roadway to the right. O’Brien’s vehicle struck two utility poles and a tree before coming to rest on its passenger side. O’Brien was unable to exit the vehicle until a passerby stopped and helped her come out through the driver’s side door. A second passerby also stopped and the two helped O’Brien off the side of her vehicle and onto the ground. O’Brien suffered bruising from the seatbelt and mild scrapes on her hands from the deployment of the airbag but was not transported to the hospital. The vehicle sustained heavy front, passenger side, and roof damage.
Officer Ted Cake assisted with a medical call. The subject was evaluated by ambulance personnel but refused transport.
Officer Caleb Mora fingerprinted a man for employment purposes.
A woman reported suspicious activity at her residence the previous night.
A woman reported that her vehicle had been struck while it was parked at a business on Cottage Street.
Officer Judson Cake responded to a parking complaint and the owner of the vehicle in question moved their vehicle.
Officer J. Cake spoke to someone about suspicious activity and is investigating the matter.
Madeline Tibbetts, 19, of Bar Harbor, was driving a 2018 Kia Sorrento on Eden Street (no direction of travel given) and was stopped in traffic. Desiree Sirois, 39, of Bar Harbor was driving a 2011 BMW X3 in the same direction as Tibbetts and stated that she was distracted by the sun’s glare. Sirois allegedly hit Tibbett’s vehicle from behind. Sirois complained of head pain but sought no medical treatment at the time. Sirois’ vehicle was towed due to the damage but Tibbett’s vehicle was still drivable. Tibbetts was warned for alleged operating with a suspended registration.
Officer J. Cake assisted a motorist with getting their vehicle started. The motorist was having battery issues.
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Officer Liam Harrington warned someone for trespassing at a local business.
Officer Harrington assisted someone with collecting payment for a business transaction.
Officer Harrington took a report of a barking dog. No disposition given.
The police department took a report of a missing elderly man with dementia. The man was quickly located and reunited with his family.
Officer T. Cake handled an accident that occurred on private property. One vehicle was parked and unoccupied and the second party left their contact and insurance information on the unoccupied vehicle.
Officer T. Cake changed a flat tire for a motorist.
The police department received a motor vehicle complaint but officers could not locate the suspect vehicle.
Officer Elias Burne handled a theft complaint from a business that involved a juvenile suspect.
Scott Webb, 55, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was driving a Dodge truck east on Cottage Street. Unn Boucher, 76, of Mount Desert, was driving a Subaru station wagon and was heading south of Federal Street. Boucher allegedly failed to yield the right of way and struck Webb’s vehicle. Boucher stated that her foot slipped off of the brake pedal and onto the gas pedal. There was no personal injury reported. Boucher’s vehicle was towed from the scene due to the damage.
Officer Burne assisted another agency.
Mitchelle Davis, 49, of North Carolina, was driving a 2019 GMC Sierra east on Indian Point Road when the vehicle left the roadway to the right and struck a utility pole. There was no personal injury reported. The vehicle was towed due to the damage. Davis was summonsed for alleged failure to maintain control of a motor vehicle.
Someone reported having issues with their boat. The complaint was passed on to the assistant harbormaster. No final disposition was given.
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Officer Harrington took a report of disorderly bar patrons. No disposition was given.
Officer Harrington gave a ride to a couple of people.
Officer J. Cake performed a wellbeing check. No was disposition given.
Officer Burne fingerprinted someone for non-criminal purposes.
Officer Burne assisted another agency.
Officer Burne responded to a motor vehicle complaint, located the vehicle, and made the company that owns the vehicle aware of the complaint. No further action was taken.
Someone requested help with getting their keys out of their vehicle. The keys were accidently locked inside. The person was able to get the keys out through a partially open window before an officer arrived.
Officer Chris Dickens responded to a report of erratic motor vehicle operation on Route 3. No disposition was given.
Officer Mora handled a complaint of two juvenile males having stolen a cellphone belonging to another juvenile male. The cellphone was later found in the woods and was returned to the owner. No further information was given.
A couple reported being harassed by an individual. The suspect individual was later served with a cease harassment notice by Officer Mora.
Officer Dickens handled a rental dispute between tenant and property owner.
Officer J. Cake summonsed Ryan Gagne, 27, of Orrington, Maine, for alleged criminal speed.
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Officer Burne provided a ride to a woman who had a disabled bicycle.
The police department took a motor vehicle complaint but no officers were in the area. The vehicle was heading toward Trenton, so the complaint was passed on to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
Officer Tim Bland located a vehicle that was the subject of a motor vehicle operation complaint. The driver advised that they were looking at the rainbow while driving.
Sgt. Soren Sundberg performed a wellbeing check on a person and as a result, the subject of the wellbeing check was transported to the hospital for a non-life-threatening medical issue.
Officer Bland provided a ride home to a person who had been involved in a motor vehicle crash.
Officer Bland stopped a motor vehicle for driving with no headlights after sunset. The vehicle was left on the shoulder of the road.
Donald Leroy, 60, of New York, was driving a Kia Forte on Route 3 when he attempted to pull into the Bar Harbor Lobster Pound. He allegedly missed the driveway and drove into the ditch. A rear seat passenger suffered a minor head injury but refused ambulance transport. The vehicle suffered minor damage.
Officers responded to a business for a report of a possible domestic violence incident. After investigation, no charges were filed.
Friday, July 28, 2023
Officer Kaleb Payson responded to a loose dog report, located and caught the dog, and brought it to the police department. The owners later came to retrieve the dog.
Officer J. Cake assisted the fire department with a medical call.
Lt. Kevin Edgecomb handled a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Main Street and West Street that turned out to be non-reportable.
Trevor Alley, 29, of Otter Creek, was driving a 2004 Ford Escape and was attempting to pass a bicyclist in the Route 102/Triangle Road intersection when the bicyclist allegedly abruptly turned in front of Alley. According to the report, Alley was unable to avoid striking David Szkutak, 66, of Mount Desert. Alley was not injured, but Szkutak was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Szkutak was later transferred by LifeFlight of Maine to another medical facility. Alley’s vehicle sustained windshield, mirror, and cosmetic damage. Szkutak’s bicycle also sustained minor damage. The accident was reconstructed by Ellsworth police Department Sgt. Chad Wilmot.
Sgt. Leigh Guildford responded to a motor vehicle complaint on Route 3 but was unable to locate the suspect vehicle.
Officer Burne took a motor vehicle complaint but could not locate the suspect vehicle.
Officer J. Cake assisted the fire department with a medical call.
Officer Nathan Formby helped resolve a noise complaint between neighbors.
Officer Formby provided a ride to two people.
Saturday, July 29, 2023
Officer J. Cake provided a ride to two people to their motel.
Sean Flanagan, 44, of Massachusetts, was driving a 2018 Ford F-150 at the intersection of Eden Street and Crooked Road (no direction of travel given) when he allegedly slowed abruptly for stopped traffic. Joshua Cote, 25, of Whitefield, Maine, was following behind Flanagan and driving a 2013 Toyota RAV4. Cote was allegedly unable to stop in time to avoid hitting Flanagan from the rear. There were no reported injuries. Cote’s vehicle was towed due to damage and Flanagan’s vehicle suffered moderate damage. Cote was warned for alleged driving with a suspended registration.
Officer Mora handled a complaint from two tenants that were arguing with each other. Officer Mora determined that it was not a law enforcement matter and advised the two tenants to speak with the housing management about their concerns.
The police department took a complaint about an intoxicated driver in Acadia National Park. The complaint was passed on to the park’s law enforcement division.
Officer Mora conducted a traffic detail.
Officer Burne investigated a possible theft.
Officer Bland took a report of erratic operation by someone riding an E-bike. No was disposition given.
Officer Burne responded to an animal complaint. No disposition was given.
Sgt. Sundberg spoke with some people about an animal in a vehicle.
Officer Burne helped someone locate their vehicle.
Officer Formby handled a noise complaint. The noise was turned down and the issue resolved.
Sgt. Sundberg provided transportation to a group of people who had missed their Island Explorer bus.
Sunday, July 30, 2023
While on patrol, Officer Formby came across a disorderly situation. He helped resolve the issue and the involved people went home.
Officer Formby provided a ride to two people.
Officer Formby responded to a noise complaint that was unsubstantiated.
Andrew S. Hanscome, 26, of Salsbury Cove, was driving a 2017 Chevy Cruze on Main Street (no direction of travel given) when he allegedly struck a parking meter. Hanscome reported that it was raining and his windshield wipers stopped working. There were no reported injuries. Hanscome’s vehicle suffered front end damage and the fate of the parking meter was not given.
Officer Burne responded to a noise complaint that was unsubstantiated.
Someone called the police department and reported some information to Officer Jerrod Hardy.
Pursuant to a traffic stop, Arielle Liakat, 31, of Seal Harbor, was issued a summons by Officer Formby for alleged operating without a license.
Bar Harbor Pilots One of the Nation’s First EMS Direct Referral for Substance Use Disorder Programs
AUGUSTA, MAINE – The Maine Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (Maine EMS) has initiated its first pilot site in one of the nation’s first EMS-based direct substance use disorder (SUD) referral programs.
This new program, the Maine EMS OPTIONS Referral Program, will enable EMS clinicians (emergency medical responders, emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians, and paramedics) to refer Mainers experiencing SUD directly to existing support resources within their area.
The ongoing opioid crisis continues to affect Mainers, with over 27,000 activations of the 9-1-1 system for suspected overdose received by EMS agencies across the state in 2021 and 2022. Of those calls, approximately 30% of patients refuse transport to the emergency department for further treatment and evaluation.
“This new program will empower Maine EMS clinicians to connect patients experiencing substance use disorder with local treatment options, harm reduction resources, and peer support within the patient’s community without a dramatic increase on the workload of EMS professionals,” said Maine EMS Director J. Sam Hurley. “EMS’ goal has always been to do the very best for our patients, and this program furthers that mission of enabling EMS clinicians to connect persons experiencing SUD with the resources and support to begin on the road to treatment and recovery – ultimately reducing morbidity andmortality related to SUD throughout the State of Maine.”
The Maine EMS OPTIONS Referral Program will allow EMS clinicians to refer to OPTIONS Liaisons directly. OPTIONS (Overdoes Prevention Through Intensive Outreach, Naloxone, and Safety) is an initiative developed by Maine DHHS in 2021 to combat the opioid crisis. By referring individuals experiencing SUD to their local OPTIONS Liaison, patients can be connected to treatment and resources for harm reduction, naloxone access, and recovery support services.
Bar Harbor Fire Department is the first pilot site for this program.
Deputy Chief John Lennon expressed his excitement for the pilot, saying, “We were very eager to be a part of this pilot because it fits in so nicely with the Naloxone Leave-Behind Program and our community Narcan public outreach. There was a gap in accessibility where patients were expected to find services for themselves after we [EMS] left the scene from an overdose call, but this program automatically connects patients to an OPTIONS Liaison from the field.”
Maine EMS will continue to expand this program to additional pilot sites through the end of the year, with anticipated state-wide implementation in 2024.
For more information about Maine Emergency Medical Services, please visit: www.maine.gov/ems
For more information about OPTIONS, please visit www.knowyouroptions.me
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