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Neighbors press Audubon on surveillance, policing after reports of needles and hunting at Hamilton Sanctuary
Summary
During public comment, several residents urged Maine Audubon to install cameras and coordinate with game wardens and the sheriff after reporting drug paraphernalia and past illegal hunting near the sanctuary parking lot.
Neighbors at the Westcott Trails Committee meeting urged Maine Audubon to commit to more robust monitoring after multiple accounts of drug paraphernalia and unsupervised activity near the Hamilton Sanctuary parking area.
"I do have to say though, there have been times I've seen needles in the actual parking lot," said a resident who described finding syringes near the parking area and called for camera monitoring and faster response options.
Audubon representatives said they would explore remote cameras and tighten coordination with district game wardens and the sheriff’s office. Noah Gleeson Hart, identified at the meeting as Audubon’s properties director, said the organization has authority to work with wardens and can pursue camera solutions if Internet access and technical setup are feasible.
Residents asked specifically whether cameras could be angled to read license plates and whether Audubon could provide a definitive written commitment to install monitoring. Audubon said it could not promise an immediate install but would research technical and budgetary options and report back at the next committee meeting.
