LEWISTON — Police were out in great numbers on Wednesday in an exercise that was part training, part show of force.

Police and their dog partners came to Lewiston from all over the state as part of the Law Enforcement Dogs of Maine monthly training.

In all, 22 police dog teams were in Lewiston for the training. And while they worked in conjunction with Lewiston police, five arrests were made and 18 people free on probation were searched with the help of K9 teams.

“It cost the taxpayers zero,” said Lewiston police Lt. Derrick St. Laurent, “because it’s considered training.”

Across the downtown Wednesday morning, police moved from neighborhood to neighborhood, knocking on doors and stopping passing vehicles whenever evidence of a crime or driving infraction presented itself.

In all, 16 traffic stops were made during the operation.

In other areas, officers appeared to be looking for specific people. On lower Blake Street at about 2 p.m., a pair of vehicles were towed away after police from a variety of cities and towns swarmed the area.

Around the same time, several officers — from police departments as far as away as Bangor — went to Hillview Apartments on Rideout Avenue where they were seen knocking on doors and talking to residents.

“If they can make this neighborhood safe and get these bad guys out of here,” said Steve Dayton, who posted a video of the action on Facebook, “I’m all for it.”

Every month, K9 officers engage in training of this sort, according to St. Laurent. The decision was made recently to hold this month’s training in Lewiston, with a particular focus on some of the areas hardest hit by recent crime.

The operation comes in the wake of a string of violence that has vexed Lewiston’s residential downtown. Lewiston police Chief Carly Conley has promised the community that she will address a recent wave of shootings and other mayhem through a multitude of tactics, including manpower and technology.

Although some took to social media to protest what they saw as an excessive show of force, most Lewiston residents seemed pleased by the action.

“I say it’s about time,” said Todd Ouellette, of Lewiston.

“I think it’s great,” said Jimi Cutting, a former homeless shelter manager. “I mean let’s make criminals afraid again. This community deserves so much better.”

Throughout the day, long lines of police vehicles, some marked, other unmarked, could be seen moving through the downtown.

Officers in full fatigues walked the streets with tracking dogs in tow.

Some residents expressed their feelings that much more needs to be done to address the violence.

“As someone who worked in Lewiston and ultimately chose to leave, none of the uptick in youth violence surprises me,” said school teacher Karla Good. “I’ve watched respect for authority erode for years. I’m not sure a show of force is going to make much difference if the underlying issues aren’t being addressed.

“What I’d really be interested in,” Good said, “is more reporting on the challenges facing schools, social services, mental health providers, law enforcement and the juvenile justice system. It often feels like they’re all struggling with the same small group of repeat offenders.”