The Brewer Police Department is Committed to Aggressively Combating Illegal Drug Activity and Drug Related Crimes.

In the mid 1990’s, the Brewer Police Department under the leadership of Chief Steven Barker adopted a “ZERO TOLERANCE” policy concerning drugs, alcohol, and tobacco offenses. This meant that if you were caught in possession of drugs, tobacco & liquor (if you are under age), or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs you would either be summonsed or arrested.

We then ensured that all of our officers received advanced training in domestic drug interdiction and related criminal investigations. This training included: motor vehicle interdiction, hotel/motel interdiction, developing sources of information and informant handling, diverted pharmaceutical investigations, consensual citizen encounters, "knock and talk investigations", preparation of affidavits for search warrants, evidence collection and handling, report writing, and DUI detection.

We have formed partnerships with other entities such as the Brewer Housing Authority and the Brewer School System in a joint effort to combat the drug problem that has been threatening our youth. Aside from increased enforcement “supply reduction” efforts, we have offered different training seminars for students, parents, residents of public housing, the elderly, and all residents of Brewer concerning drug and crime problems in an effort for “demand reduction”.

We have adopted a philosophy of compassion for the individual who is honestly seeking assistance with a chemical dependency. If an individual wants and needs help, we will do everything in our power to guide that person towards the right resources for recovery. Although we may be tough on crime, we are never more concerned with enforcement “numbers” than with helping a person in need. One way or another we are committed to making a difference and a positive change.

We have adopted a philosophy of “Control the Drugs, Control the Crime”. As heroin, and diverted pharmaceutical opiate abuse increased so did our levels of drug related crimes such as: Drug Trafficking, Drug Furnishing, Bad Checks, Forged Checks, Shop Lifting, Thefts, Prostitution, Burglaries, and Burglaries to Motor Vehicles. Many persons who suffered from hardcore addictions didn't’t work, and committed crimes as a means to facilitate their addictions. When we analyzed the characteristics of who were committing a majority of our crimes, they all had one common denominator – drug abuse. It was because of this relationship that we began focusing more heavily on drug abusers in an effort to control crime, to prevent people from being victimized, and to make Brewer a safe place to live.

If you have a substance abuse problem, and/or know someone who does and you do not know where to turn, contact us. We will do everything we can to provide some guidance towards addiction / recovery resources.

If you would like information about drug abuse or drug related crimes, please feel free to contact us.

We are committed to keeping Brewer’s neighborhoods, schools, and streets safe from drugs and drug related crimes, but we need your help to make it a reality. If you know of someone who is victimizing others through drug dealing or the commission of other crimes, we encourage you to contact us, because together we really can make a difference.

Sgt. Christopher Martin
Brewer Police Department

The menu to the right contains links for further information on drugs that are commonly abused in this area. ( Courtesy of the National Drug Intelligence Center).