There was a time, when small rural communities such as Houlton were immune to the problems that plague larger, metropolitan areas.
We like to think that we live in a region where it is OK to leave your keys in your vehicle while you go into a store to pick up some groceries or to pay for gas; where you do not have to worry about your vehicle being rummaged through when going to church on Sunday mornings; and where you do not have to be overly cautious and lock the doors to your home before turning in for the night.
It is for these reasons that many of those who grew up in The County, but had moved to larger cities decide to return to their roots. For the safety and simplicity of life.
Sadly, the problems that plague large, urban settings can also be found here in our own back yards. Drugs have become a major problem in Aroostook County, with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency uncovering a new methamphetamine operation seemingly on a weekly basis.
People under the influence of drugs can do some pretty strange things. I learned this firsthand last Monday evening when an unknown individual attempted to gain access to our home. Shortly before 10 p.m. I heard a thumping sound coming from somewhere in the house. The first thought was one of our children had awoke and run to the bathroom. After a quick check to find them both sound asleep, I investigated further.
Perhaps the cat was stuck in the basement and could not wedge open the door to come upstairs? Or did some animal find its way into the house?
Imagine my surprise, though, when I opened the door to the basement and saw a person standing on the porch trying to gain access to our house. The individual did not try to flee when he saw me, ignored my shouts to leave the property and appeared oblivious to the fact that I was even there. He simply continued to try and gain entrance by using a credit card to unlock the door.
This was not a case of a home invasion by any stretch. It was simply someone so impaired that they thought they were trying to get into their own home. But that did not make it any less unsettling and as it was happening, ascertaining the level of threat to my home and family was difficult to do.
Fortunately, the Houlton Police Department proved prompt in their response, arriving in just a few minutes to secure the individual and remove him from our property.
Sadly, the more people I spoke to about our incident, the more I was told they had either had a similar experience or knew of someone who did. Some relayed stories of finding a stranger standing in their bedroom in the middle of the night, while others reported waking up to find someone sleeping on their couch.
It speaks volumes to the society we now live in. The times have changed. People under the influence of alcohol or drugs can do some pretty crazy things. We as a society have to be aware of that fact and plan accordingly. If you see something strange or suspicious, report it to the police. And locking the doors to your vehicle or home is a must, even in our small community.
Joseph Cyr is a staff writer for the Houlton Pioneer Times. His opinions are his own and do not necessarily reflect that of the newspaper. He can be reached at pioneertimes@nepublish.com or 532-2281.
