Community members participate during a discussion on gun violence Feb. 27 at Lewiston Middle School. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

When it comes to lowering the heat on gun violence in Lewiston, it’s important that police keep in constant communication with community stakeholders, especially when it comes to schools, police Chief David St. Pierre said.

Reaching out to families and community members through the schools can engage the community in productive ways, he said.

What police find most problematic is that perpetrators of gun violence have been growing younger in age in recent years, an observation supported by shooting data.

After a handful of meetings in late 2023 following the Oct. 25 mass shooting, police and the schools recently returned to gun safety and violence prevention meetings, holding gatherings at Montello and Lewiston Middle schools Feb. 25 and 27. The sessions were intended to educate the public on the issues plaguing youth who are especially at risk of perpetrating and becoming victims of gun violence.

At both meetings in February, police and school officials warned parents of a variety of signs their children may be getting involved with illegal activities.

Lewiston police Sgt. Corey Jacques of the Youth & Family Services Unit, left, and Lewiston Public Schools Superintendent Jake Langlais address community members Feb. 27 at Lewiston Middle School during a discussion on gun violence. Being shown to the audience is an image of two firearm replicas that were seized by Lewiston police officers. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Police showed parents the types of firearms they’re recovering from children and adults, the ammunition and the lingo around guns and drugs. Superintendent Jake Langlais shared some of the perennial issues like vaping and mobile phone usage, revealing that some parents are unaware their child has a phone or a second phone.

“What kind of behavior should you look for?” Langlais asked. “Erratic behavior, mood swings, being secretive. Avoiding family members while home and staying behind locked doors. If you see your kid with that new pair of sneakers, ask them where they got them.”

Lewiston police Chief David St. Pierre, left, and Lewiston Public Schools Superintendent Jake Langlais address community members Feb. 27 at Lewiston Middle School during a discussion on gun violence. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Langlais said he has seen or heard of students holding backpacks with unknown contents for other students or adults for periods of time, increasing the risk they get into trouble if searched by school personnel.

It is legal for school personnel to search backpacks and lockers if they suspect students are engaging in illegal activities, he added.

“What happens if they lose that bag? What happens if someone sees them with that bag and decides they want it?” Langlais said, driving the point home that a seemingly innocent favor can lead to dangerous situations.

St. Pierre said though he can’t promise there will not be any legal repercussions for certain criminal activities, police are always willing to help — whether it be performing a search with parental permission, checking unknown substances or taking possession of a firearm.

St. Pierre said he hopes continued engagement with Lewiston’s many communities through meetings like these will help transform mistrust into helpful relationships with the public.