Lewiston Police Report Surge in Crime, Overdoses During March

Elise Bergeron, 25, of Lewiston was ordered held without bail on a murder charge after 22-year-old Maliyah Powell died at Central Maine Medical Center from a gunshot wound suffered on Union Street in the early morning hours of March 20. The killing was one of two confirmed shooting incidents during a month in which Lewiston police fielded 3,506 calls for service, recorded 21 confirmed overdoses, and made 186 arrests, according to the department's "Neighborhood First" public snapshot.

The Union Street shooting began as a verbal altercation that escalated into a physical fight, investigators said. Officers responded at 1:26 a.m. and requested help from the Maine State Police, whose Major Crimes Unit South processed the scene through the morning. Powell's body was later taken to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where an autopsy confirmed the manner of death as homicide. Bergeron was arrested the same day and held without bail by an Androscoggin County judge on March 23. If convicted, she faces 25 years to life in prison. Her next court date is April 10.

The shooting renewed public concern east of Kennedy Park, where residents told local media they no longer feel safe at night. Lt. Derrick St. Laurent said the area is heavily patrolled and that police were exploring relocating portable surveillance equipment there to improve monitoring and deter further incidents.

The 21 overdoses recorded in March reflect a sustained strain on Lewiston's first responders. The city logged 193 overdoses across all of 2024 and had already surpassed 115 in just the first half of 2025.

Those figures carry direct relevance for Sagadahoc County, where overdose pressures have tracked broader statewide trends. Whether EMS crews and police departments in Brunswick and Bath are registering comparable volume spikes as spring arrives is a question local officials should be actively monitoring.

Sagadahoc County residents can access free naloxone and overdose prevention education through Maine Access Points by calling or texting 207-319-8284. MaineGeneral Harm Reduction, which serves Sagadahoc County directly, is reachable at 207-872-4102. The Maine OPTIONS initiative connects county residents with a local liaison for treatment, recovery, and harm reduction referrals at knowyouroptions.me. A statewide map of naloxone distribution sites is available at getmainenaloxone.org.