Lewiston City Administrator Reports Positive Start for Youth Gun Violence Initiative
Lewiston City Administrator Bryan Kaenrath has announced that the Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) initiative, designed to combat youth gun violence, is off to a promising start. Launched in August, the program integrates community policing efforts with proposed legislative changes. Since January, Lewiston has recorded 35 gun violence incidents, with 22 involving children, leading to 24 juvenile arrests and the seizure of 67 firearms. The city allocated $200,000 in overtime for its understaffed police department, enabling officers to conduct foot and bike patrols, resulting in over 900 community contacts. Kaenrath emphasizes the importance of these interactions in fostering positive relationships between residents and law enforcement. While it's too early to definitively assess the impact on gun violence, the community policing aspect aims to build trust and gather neighborhood insights. The initiative also seeks to influence state legislative changes to the juvenile justice system, focusing o...