Woman Charged in False Rape Claim

Portland, Maine - A 34-year-old Bridgton woman is charged with false public alarm or report in connection with the false report of a sexual assault on the Back Cove Trail on August 12, 2015.

Sarah Dodge (DOB 9-4-1980) had reported she was sexually assaulted by an unknown man as she walked along the trail. She recanted the allegation on Friday, August 14, 2015.  Additional investigation has now led to criminal charges.  Ms. Dodge was issued a criminal summons at Portland Police Headquarters earlier today. Her arraignment is scheduled for October 1, 2015 at 8:30 A.M. False public alarm or report is a class D crime, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2000.00. The motivation for her actions are still unclear.

Portland Police Department Sponsors Eight Kids to Shop with a Cop

PORTLAND, Maine -- On Friday, December 12, the Portland Police Department along with their police unions, Police Benevolent Association and Superior Officer Association, as well as Target and Portland Pie Company will sponsor Shop with a Cop, an opportunity for children to do some holiday shopping with a local police officer. Eight children from more than one hundred applicants were selected based on their answer to the question "Why I want to go shopping with a police officer?" to be a part of the sixth annual holiday event.

Children will be picked up in a patrol car by a police officer at one of Portland Recreation's after-school locations and taken to Target where they will have the opportunity to purchase gifts for their family members. The officer will accompany the child as they shop. Afterwards, the officers and children will return to the Portland Police Department to wrap their gifts. Portland Pie Company will provide pizzas.

WHEN: Friday, December 12, 2014
approximately 4:00 PM Officers and children arrive at Target
5:30 PM wrapping and pizza party at Police Department

WHERE: Portland Police Department, 109 Middle Street, Portland

Applications Now Available for Basic R.A.D. Program's September Session

Portland Police have been offering this self dense program for more than 12 years now;

proceeds benefit the Amy St. Laurent Foundation

Portland, Maine - The Portland Police Department is pleased to announce that it is currently taking applications for the September 2014 session of the Basic R.A.D. program (Rape Aggression Defense). RAD is a comprehensive international self defense program for woman and girls, in which participants will learn personal safety tips as well as physical skills. The first four sessions of the

September class will be held September 16, 18, 23 and 25 from 6 PM - 9 PM and the fifth session will be held September 27 from 8 AM - 12 PM.  All sessions must be attended to complete the class.  Cost of the class is $25 and all proceeds benefit the Amy St. Laurent Foundation.

If you would like more information about the class or to obtain a registration form you can call 874-8643, email PPDRAD@portlandmaine.gov or go to the Amy St. Laurent Foundation webpage.

Portland Police & Fire Simulate Car Accident for Portland High School Students

Portions of Cumberland Avenue to be closed tomorrow morning

PORTLAND, Maine – The City of Portland Police and Fire Departments will respond to a simulated car accident tomorrow morning for the benefit of Portland High School sophomores, juniors and seniors. Students will attend to see the consequences of destructive decisions. The accident, which typically features a two vehicle crash with a fatality and two-to-three injuries, is being put on by the Portland High SADD (students against destructive decisions) group. Local businesses are donating services and vehicles to make the accident as realistic as possible. Police and Fire officials will respond to the scene as they would in a real life situation.

The accident will occur at approximately 9:15 AM. Cumberland Avenue will be closed from Elm Street to Chestnut Street starting at 8:15 AM for approximately three hours.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at 9:15 AM.

WHERE: Portland High School, 284 Cumberland Avenue, Portland.

Children Shop with a Cop

Portland Police Department Sponsors Eight Children to Shop with a Cop

When: December 13, 2013

What: The Portland Police Department along with their police unions, Police Benevolent Association and Superior Officer Association, Target and Portland Pie Company will sponsor Shop with a Cop, an opportunity for children to do some holiday shopping with a local police officer. Eight children from more than one hundred applicants were selected based on their answer to the question "Why I want to go shopping with a police officer?" to be a part of the fifth annual holiday event.

Children will be picked up in a patrol car by a police officer at one of Portland Recreation's after-school locations and taken to Target where they will have the opportunity to purchase gifts for their family members. The officer will accompany the child as they shop. Afterwards, the officers and children will return to the Portland Police Department to wrap their gifts. Portland Pie Company will provide pizzas.

Agenda:

Friday December 13, 2013 at approximately 4:00 PM Officers and children arrive at Target

5:30 PM wrapping and pizza party at Police Department

Where: Portland Police Department
109 Middle Street, Portland

Police Department Offers Basic Self Defense Class for Women Next Month

Rape Aggression Defense course to offer real life defense tools and tactics

What: This November, the Portland Police Department will offer its Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) Training class.  R.A.D. provides women with the tools they need to both avoid dangerous situations and escape them.  The course is specifically designed to help women survive situations in which their lives are in jeopardy.

This class is open to all women, ages 13 and older, in the Greater Portland area who would like to develop real life defensive tools and tactics. The Basic Self-Defense Course consists of a series of four classes and one scenario day. The class is scheduled for November 12, 14, 19, and 21, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and November 23 from 8:00 AM to noon.  All classes must be attended to complete the course.  The classes will be held at the Portland Police Department, 109 Middle Street, Portland, Maine.

A donation of $25.00 for the course is suggested. All donations support the Amy St. Laurent Fund, which sponsors the R.A.D. trainings.  Due to attendance issues, all donations must be paid prior to the first class (send checks to ASLF/PPD RAD Program, Portland Police Department, 109 Middle Street, Portland ME 04101). To sign up for the class or receive more information about Portland R.A.D., e-mail ppdrad@portlandmaine.gov or call 874-8643.


When:             November 12, 14, 19, 21, and 23, 2013

                        6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (11/23 class 8:00 AM – noon)

Where:            Portland Police Department
                        109 Middle Street, Portland

Memorial Vase Theft Recovery

Portland, Maine - On November 15, 2012, Portland Police detectives and officers of the Sanford Police Department recovered forty-eight stolen bronze memorial vases.  Sixty bronze memorial vases were reported stolen from the Brooklawn Memorial Cemetery, 2002 Congress Street between November 7th and November 12th, 2012.

Information leading to the recovery of the stolen memorial vases was provided by Fred Smith, the owner of JMS Cleaning, 13 River Street, Sanford. Mr. Smith, who purchases scrap metals, learned through the media of the memorial vase thefts and contacted Portland Police.

Utilizing information provided by Mr. Smith and with assistance from officers of the Sanford Police Department, a suspect in the thefts has been identified and is currently incarcerated at the York County Jail on unrelated charges. Charges regarding the memorial vases theft are expected to be forth coming.

The collaborative efforts between law enforcement, the media and the public are credited with the timely recovery of the memorial vases and identifying a suspect. The investigation is ongoing as are efforts to recover the remaining memorial vases.

The approximate value of the recovered memorial vases is $10,000 dollars.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Portland Police Department at (207) 874-8533.

Memorial Vases Stolen

Portland, Maine - The Portland Police Department is investigating the theft of sixty bronze memorial vases from the Brooklawn Memorial Cemetery, 2002 Congress Street. Between Wednesday, November 7th and Monday, November 12th, 2012, person(s) unknown removed the memorial vases from graves at the cemetery. Each memorial vase weighs approximately ten pounds and is unique in shape. The approximate value of the memorial vases is $12,000 dollars.

The Portland Police Department is requesting assistance from the public in identifying the thieves and recovering the memorial vases.

Anyone with information regarding the theft of these memorial vases is urged to call the Portland Police Department at 874-8533.

To provide information anonymously, community members may contact us by text, internet, or phone.

Mobile phone users can text the keyword “GOTCHA” plus their message to 274637 (CRIMES).
Submit tips by going to the Portland Police Department website: www.portland-police.com and clicking "Submit an Anonymous Crime Tip.”

Anonymous phone tips can be left on the Department’s Crime Tip line:
207-874-8584.