Houlton Maine, population 5,000, plans to install 50 surveillance cameras

HOULTON, Maine — Houlton police will soon be able to monitor resident and visitor comings and goings at dozens of municipal locations including cemeteries and parks.

Town officials hope to better protect the community with a system of 50 surveillance cameras that are currently being installed, according to Houlton Police Chief and interim Town Manager Tim DeLuca.

The $130,000 initial investment, originally recommended by former town manager Marian Anderson and approved by the town council, was paid for with American Rescue Plan Act funds, DeLuca said.

Houlton, a town of about 5,000, will be one of a few municipalities in the state with town-wide police surveillance. There are no others in Aroostook County and even larger Maine cities like Portland and Bangor do not have surveillance cameras designated for use by police.

Of course, expansion of police control of citizens is always gratifying to the overseers.

Crime statistics for Houlton:

Just guessing here, but probably all five of those violent cries were alcohol-fueled domestic violence or bar fights; the town might be better off enacting a prohibition law.