Stonington official: Police protection for town still available even if no contract

March 3, 2026

Stonington select board member Travis Fifield. Photo by Jessica Hardy.

I wanted to thank all the Stonington residents who came to the annual town meeting this year. I know it's not always easy to show up in person, participate, and sometimes disagree publicly with your neighbors, but town meeting has been an important part of our history for centuries and is as equally important for our future. I also wanted to thank all those people who made it happen: the poll workers, vote counters, and town hall employees, without whom, the meeting simply couldn't happen. A special thank you and welcome to Stonington's new town clerk Amber Wiesing, who executed her new role admirably.

I'd like to take a second to address the outcome of the sheriff’s contract vote, where money was not approved for the 2026 renewal. Town Hall understands that some residents are not happy with this outcome, but we want to assure everyone that police protection is, and always was, available-- even without the contract. As a taxpayer of Hancock County, your county tax dollars have always been paying for police protection, and an officer will respond if called. I want to thank Sheriff Kane and his deputies for providing focused services to Stonington all these years and hope that the Hancock County Commissioners see and hear the Sheriff’s need for additional funding to be able to provide the services that its member towns are asking for. It's my opinion that small edge towns like Stonington should not have to subsidize the cost of increased police presence for all the towns along the road to Stonington.

Finally, while we may not have a deputy assigned to be physically present in Stonington three days per week this year, if any resident has an issue, needs to report a crime, sees suspicious activity, or is in general need of police assistance, nothing has changed. For non-emergencies, call the sheriff’s office directly, or for an emergency, call 911. We have also been told that the Maine State Police are increasing patrols in this area, and so should be a reassuring visible police presence in addition to the standard patrols by the sheriff’s office.

Travis Fifield

Stonington Select Board member

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