I am Deputy George Bradbury. I work for the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. I am a resident of Harpswell. I live and work among you.
Your monthly warning
It is a Class E crime to leave the scene of an accident with property damage or to fail to immediately notify police of a reportable accident — one with injury or damage of $2,000 or more.
It is also a Class E crime to unlawfully possess a “gift deer” — any part of a deer given to you. All deer must have a tag.
Hit a deer? Here’s what you should do
A reader asked what to do if they hit a deer. First, you should call your local police or, in Harpswell, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office at 800-501-1111 or 911. If you or another person is hurt, tell dispatch so they can send fire and rescue.
Please stay at the location of the collision and put on your hazard lights. Deer are tough and may try to get up and walk away. If the deer does walk away, make note of what direction it is going.
If your vehicle is disabled, a deputy will help you get it towed. If the deer is injured and has broken legs, a deputy will put down the deer so it doesn’t suffer. You may have the deer if it dies. A deputy will give you a tag to put on it.
Remember, hunting season is coming up and the food supply for deer is low, so they are running more. We have to keep our eyes open.
Phone numbers
This reminder comes from my experience in recent weeks: Make sure you have paperwork in your house that will help us make phone calls if you pass away. We need numbers for your primary care physician and next of kin. I know this sounds morbid, but none of us are getting out of here alive. Please check on your older neighbors who live alone.
Remember, let’s be safe out there! And don’t get voted off the islands.
