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Auburn police PACE unit reports 223 criminal charges, 308 traffic stops in first year
Summary
Chief Moen and Sgt. Gagnon summarized the Proactive Community Enforcement (PACE) unit’s first year on April 7: 153 arrests or citations leading to 223 criminal charges, 25 illegal firearms seized, seven search warrants served and 308 traffic stops.
Police Chief (name listed in packet as Chief Moen) and Sergeant Nicholas Gagnon reported to the council April 7 on the first year of the Auburn Police Department’s Proactive Community Enforcement (PACE) unit.
Chief Moen said the unit — with Sergeant Gagnon and Officer George Monteith assigned during year one — made 153 physical arrests or issued citations resulting in 223 criminal charges, executed seven search warrants and seized 25 illegal firearms. Sgt. Gagnon reported the unit conducted 308 traffic stops and focused on targeted neighborhood investigations, drug enforcement and traffic enforcement in problem locations.
Moen and Gagnon said the unit’s design is to provide a “surgical” approach to neighborhood problems, allowing officers to follow up on specific addresses and community complaints. Councilors from New Auburn and other wards praised the unit’s visible presence and community engagement in problem neighborhoods.
Councilors asked whether the unit could expand. Chief Moen said the unit’s authorized complement at full staffing would be a sergeant and three officers; the current unit had one sergeant and one officer, and expanding depends on filling other departmental vacancies and academy training slots.
Councilors and the manager praised the unit’s first-year performance and noted plans to involve patrol officers in operations to broaden experience and maintain relationships with neighborhoods.
