AUGUSTA — Lt. Wes Hussey (on the right) updates the contingent of Troopers and deputies on their New Jersey assignment in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy before they left Maine last Sunday. Eleven Troopers and four Cumberland County deputies joined 270 other police officers from across the country who are helping New Jersey. In addition to the New Jersey group, two State Police lieutenants – William Harwood and Shawn Currie – have been in New York assisting efforts there.

Hussey reports that Maine Troopers have been patrolling in Union Beach during the overnight hours. The area is across the bay from Staten Island, N.Y. He said the damage is "unbelievable." In New Jersey are Sgts. Jeff Mills and David Millett, Corps. Lance McCleish and Ed Furtado, and Troopers Jessica Shorey, Alan Levy, Aaron Turcotte, Chris Fowler, Chris Rogers and Joe Bureau. Levy and McCleish have lived in New Jersey in the past.

In New York, Harwood and Currie are part of an emergency operations center encompassing three floors of an office building in Brooklyn, along with representatives from 60 other agencies providing relief. Among them are Maine Forest Rangers who are out in the field.

Harwood said, "Maine can be proud of the work being done in New Jersey and New York. A ton of people are still hurting pretty badly down here. It is a very good feeling to be part of the recovery efforts."

Millett said, "The coastline looks like a war zone and we have only seen the devastation under darkness. We have a great group of troopers and are working hard and doing what they can do to make a difference."

Rogers told the Kennebec Journal this morning, "You go down these streets and it's just mountains of debris. It looks like a war zone. It's incredible." He said about 500 homes were destroyed in Union Beach and their remains are scattered throughout the community. One house was picked up and dropped in the middle of an intersection. Cars are flipped upside down. Boats are wedged between utility poles and houses.

Lt. Col. Ray Bessette emailed the troopers, "We are proud of all that you are doing in the assignments you have volunteered for. I'm sure you are experiencing situations, viewing sights and forming new relationships that will last you a lifetime. Keep up the hard work, and we can't wait to get you all back home safe and sound." Most of the Troopers will be returning to Maine next week.

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The state's highway death toll has now exceeded last year's total, following three fatal crashes in the past two days in Gorham, Prospect and Caribou. This year's number stands at 137, one more than the total of 136 for all of 2011, which was the safest year on Maine roads since 1959. The 10-year annual average is 176 highway deaths. The Bureau of Highway Safety says the two deadliest months this year were June, with 26 deaths, and September with 20.

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Last weekend's pharmacy robbery at the Rite Aid in Gray was the 49th for the year — an all-time record. The vast majority of the robberies have resulted in arrests.

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This week's standoff in a parking lot near the Auburn Mall brought the State Police Tactical Team and negotiators. Because of its very public location, the standoff disrupted thousands of motorists and closed the mall, Shaw's supermarket and the Longley Bridge. The suicidal gunman, who was sitting in a vehicle, surrendered without injury after four hours.

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Troopers will begin next week picking up ballots from the cities and towns involved in recounts of Legislative races. The Secretary of State’s Office says as many as 11 House races and three Senate contests may be recounted. The first recount will take place on Wednesday at the Maine Department of Public Safety, where the ballots are secured. 

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The State Fire Marshal’s Office expert in sprinkler systems has retired after 18 years of service. Eric Ellis of Belgrade was also Public Safety’s employee of the year in 2004.

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The newest sergeant in the State Police is Kyle Tilsley from Locke Mills with Colonel Robert Williams. He is an 18-year State Police veteran and has patrolled in Oxford County that entire time. Tilsley will now serve as a supervisor for the troopers patrolling in that area and the rest of Troop B, out of the State Police barracks in Gray.