In Mark LaFlamme’s column, “Street Talk: Roll up the windows, kids, we’re heading to Leeds” published March 8, he claims that Lewiston crime rates dropped because “drug peddlers moved into the rural areas.” His claim diminishes the role the community of Lewiston has had in targeting at-risk youth and reshaping its image.

Two community organizations that focus on youth development in the LA community are Big Brothers Big Sisters in Lewiston and Police Activities League in Auburn. Both BBBS and PAL pride themselves in their transformative role in children’s lives. PAL, in particular, targets an area of high crime rate and provides “positive, horizon-broadening experiences for at-risk youth.” (Police Activities League Contributors, 2014).

Furthermore, LaFlamme ignores community-led movements that transform how people view Lewiston. Peter Rubins, on Jan. 28, partnered with the LA Museum to share his 17-year initiative to reclassify the water quality of Lewiston’s Androscoggin River. His work scientifically proves that the river is cleaner than federally recognized and attempts to shift public opinion around the cleanliness of the river.

Finally, LaFlamme fails to mention Lewiston’s current branding campaign. Lewiston’s branding campaign “provides a refreshing new look at Lewiston for prospective entrepreneurs, visitors and residents alike.”

In short, Lewiston isn’t safer just because drug dealers left the city; Lewiston is safer because community members and organizations have worked and continued to work on making the city safer and more attractive.

Jan Cornelius-Knudsen, Lewiston

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