RUMFORD – Committing crimes in Rumford and getting arrested means people’s mug shots will run both on the police department Web site and in local newspapers.

Especially when the crime involves drunken driving or domestic assault.

That’s what police Chief Stacy Carter told selectmen Thursday while defending his decision to create a community crime bulletin to better educate people.

He was responding to selectmen’s comments from a previous board meeting, when some selectmen asked who gave Carter permission to start the bulletin. Some asked if the chief was trying to justify his budget.

Others worried that the bulletin would create a misperception that there is a lot of crime in town and drive potential business away.

At Thursday night’s meeting, Carter said the idea came from Sun Journal managing editor Judy Meyer.

Meyer, he said, was responding to some Sun Journal readers who asked why Rumford police couldn’t create a crime bulletin similar to one run in the paper for Lewiston police.

Patrolman Douglas Maifeld designed a bulletin recently that proved successful in more ways than one, Carter said.

“It’s more efficient and positive for us, because some of the people wanted on warrants saw their photos in the paper and turned themselves in, or called us and took care of the warrants,” he said.

The chief added that creating the bulletin freed his sergeants up from having to meet with reporters to go over arrest logs.

“We also have a large number of OUI and domestic violence arrests for an area our size. …If people know that their picture will be in the paper, maybe they won’t commit the crime.”

So, if this will continue to be a deterrent, then we will continue to do it,” Carter said.

Later in the meeting, Carter again defended his initiative, this time regarding bids sought to replace old carpeting in his and other officers’ offices.

Rather than OK the lowest of three bids, selectmen tabled the matter until they could review the town’s bidding policy since local businesses weren’t included in the process. During that discussion, selectmen also learned they first need to determine if tiles underneath the carpets contain asbestos.

The board agreed to have a local certified asbestos inspector examine the tiles.