LEWISTON — Police and school district officials released a joint statement Tuesday afternoon on community safety.

As children shuffle back into their classrooms at the city schools on Wednesday, Lewiston Police Department and Lewiston School District officials have community safety on their minds after several recent incidents of gun violence.

Chief David St. Pierre and Superintendent Jake Langlais said the beginning of the school year should be an exciting time for students, parents, teachers and staff. “Growing our youth is one of the best things we do as a community,” their statement says.

“We all want to rest easy knowing that the people we love and care about are safe,” the statement continues. “Lewiston can be a safe place for everyone if we work together to stop gun violence in our community. We showed the world last October that we were and remain #LewistonStrong.”

Police and school officials look forward to welcoming the school community back to the halls and classrooms, they said. Safety will come from a continued partnership between police and school officials and several measures including upgraded security systems, sensors, diligence, communication and “our love of students.”

“Building on our partnership, Lewiston Police Department will also have extra patrols at all schools,” the statement says. “We always remind everyone: ‘If you see something — say something — so we can do something.’ It takes us all!”