As I drove past Lewiston High School recently, I noticed a woman pushing a stroller with a child in it and a large box on top. As I passed, the wheel snapped off the stroller and the box toppled.

I went back to see if I could help. My own children stayed with my mother in the car while I crossed the street to offer assistance. I called the police department and was told a cruiser would be sent to help.

When the cruiser arrived, the officer asked if we needed help. Then we were informed that the police don’t offer rides. The officer called the local cab company to see if they had child safety seats. No luck. Talking to us from the driver seat of the cruiser, the policeman said that we’d need to work it out. He suggested my car, but my children were occupying the car seats. I was told that my oldest child could use the shoulder/lap belt in the back seat. The woman and I had to pack up her supplies and broken stroller into my car, since the officer drove off without offering to help. The children all safe in their seats, three adult women had to share the front seat along with the box that fell off the stroller.

I drove her home and the woman was very grateful, but I was greatly disappointed in the LPD for not doing more to protect and serve that citizen.

Jessica Aube, Sabattus