Changes Equal Challenges

Changes Equal Challenges

By

Lloyd W. Alexander


South Portland has always been the “little” city across the bridge to me as I have lived in Portland’s West End all my life.  I would go to the beach, go to the Mall, or go grocery shopping all in South Portland. It was a nice place from what I could tell of my time spent there and it was also a place I associated with a lot less crime than Portland. I decided to find out if this was the case or if it was just my “reality”. For this journal entry we were to interview a law enforcement officer who had been on the job for at least 5 years. We were to discuss race, gender, and age during our conversation. I went to the South Portland Police Department and asked to speak with an Officer. Soon Patrol Officer Kevin Garrish came to the desk. He was an intimidating looking officer who appears to work out often. This only added to my anxiety as I was expecting a tough and less than frank answers. Once Patrolman Garrish smiled and introduced himself I was immediately at ease. He was easy to talk with and despite barely meeting the 5 year requirement, 5 1/2 years of service, he was full of useful insight into South Portland. Officer Garrish joined the force because it “wasn’t a desk job” and he wanted to be active and among people. He believed strongly in the upholding of laws and wanting to help as well. That drew him to the force and he has enjoyed his time there.

South Portland is a city of 23,000 people, but swells to near 60,000 when the Mall and businesses are open. The city also offers diversity as well according to Wikipedia, “The racial makeup of the city was 95.80% White, 0.63% African American, 0.33% Native American, 1.59% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% of the population.” These numbers are from the 2000 Census which was before Officer Garrish began his career. It is likely that these numbers have changed as has many cities or towns in Maine with more immigration. The numbers do show that South Portland is not just a one race society. Race is the number one change that Patrolman Garrish has seen during his tenure as an Officer. The influx of immigration to South Portland and surrounding areas has brought new challenges to the Officer’s in the area. Garrish has had to learn and adapt to these changes to remain an effective Officer. S.P.P.D. has helped the officers with additional training to understand cultures that are now part of the landscape their officers patrol. The difference is making the job even more challenging as his job is to be a Police Officer first and then a diplomat. Some cultures expect that everything is channeled through the father or males and hands of females at all costs. This obviously can conflict with the job of a Patrol Officer. Garrish admitted that sometimes it is tough to try to mediate in these situations but with his additional training and the laws behind him it always gets resolved. An officer’s job is tough as it is without the added “rules” of other cultures, language barriers, and family intricacies added to the mix.
South Portland is a younger society and Officer Garrish has been dispatched to more calls involving youth. Ages 16-18 are a noticeable increase to the Patrolman as drug and alcohol related calls have increased for this age. Wikipedia provides the numbers to prove South Portland in young, “In the city the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.3 males.” As the population ages it is likely that the availability of drugs and alcohol increases for the younger population because friends become of age to buy alcohol or become more connected to people who can obtain drugs. Officer Garrish believes that computers and cell phones also contribute to this growing problem. He believes the availability to be in touch with each other all the time helps the teens to find who has what or can get what much easier than before this technology arrived. Also part of the problem is that there is simply no place for them to go without being shooed away. Businesses due not want them loitering and often call the S.P.P.D. to move them along. The Mall is another popular hang out for teenagers but closes early each night and these children head back out with no place to go. The programs offered for teens are few and far between leaving them with no place to go, likely leading to the increased drinking and drug use as well. Graffiti and territory “battles” are also increasing in South Portland. The teens and young adults try to keep their spots. It is not the same as South Central in Los Angeles, but it is also a problem that faces the community of South Portland.
Also facing South Portland is the growing number of females involved in crimes that used to be seen as “typical male” crimes. These are still mostly non-violent crimes such as drugs (possession, using, selling) or theft but there is a change occurring. The females are more partners now than before in these crimes. The females also get off easier more time than not but it isn’t due to the law or the Officers giving special treatment to them. It is because the males often “protect” the females or in general are more likely to be combative or vocal during the situation with the Officers. This focuses the attention on them and also often makes it harder to build the case on the females.
Race, gender, and age are the things that are used when you call the police to describe people in society. These are things we use to distinguish one another in many situations. The police department also uses these to help in locating people that have committed crimes. If these descriptions are left out then there is less to go on for the Officers.
South Portland is a community that is changing and these changes mean a challenge for the community. The Officers who patrol the community are adapting to these changes. They are meeting these challenges head on to serve South Portland. The community should be proud of Officers like Kevin Garrish as he meets these challenges.