Hi, I'm a MA lurker since this year's trip to Acadia NP. It's interesting reading comments of what's going on in the towns in ME. I thought I've read Lewiston has a bad reputation?

> I thought I've read Lewiston has a bad reputation?

It does, but not because it's bad today.

Some people say it's bad because they're remembering decades ago.

Some people say it's bad because they're racists and they're making assumptions because it has a sizable Somali population.

Our definition of "unsafe" is skewed sometimes because of Maine's extremely low crime rate. It's the safest state in the union. Lewiston has a bad reputation locally but even its bad neighborhoods are safer than 99% of the rest of the country. (And Lewiston doesn't really deserve its reputation anymore, it's a lot better than it used to be.)

The racists give Lewiston its bad rep. If they'd leave the Somalis alone to live their lives, there would be much, much less violence in Lewiston.

Some really good food coming out of that population makes it better!

Ok, I see. Now it all makes sense. Thanks for the insight.

It’s not what they know, it’s what they can prove.

You can hear gunshots at night, but not a whisper in the news about it.

You clearly aren’t from the area. Come take a nightly stroll.

If you love fentanyl the you’d love Lewiston. Complimentary sharp containers on every corner too!!

So you think it’s all white vs Somali that’s contributing to violence? That alone is racist.

The opioid epidemic is nationwide and we know that it hit working-class white communities the hardest. Lewiston is no exception. Would you prefer the city pretend the opioid crisis is not happening and not take any measures to reduce its associated harms? Do you think the presence of fentanyl in the drug supply that kills two Mainers per day is something funny to joke about?

[removed]

I work on Main Street in Lewiston and I am a young woman and I walk alone after dark alone regularly with zero problems. “You choose to do drugs” ha get a newer and hotter take bro. Not worth it for me to engage further with stupidity though. Good luck out there!

[removed]

[removed]

Yeah but only mainers dont realize the rest of the country even rural republican America is 5X as violent.

I walk through the tree streets from work at 1am - 3am its safe as can be. Its nothing like MO or IL or TX. Now there you will get killed real fast.

usually its up north all the major busts happen. Bangor is really bad.

Nah I live in the tree streets 90% of the time is white native Mainers ODing or having mental freakouts and shooting each other. It has been getting more white here as the immigrants have worked hard buy houses and take vacations. While what's left is the white trash. They don't make the news as often cause its not as spicy. But it's the truth.

It's all a matter of comparison.

When stacked up against other cities in the US, Lewiston is one of the safest cities.

When stacked up against other cities in Maine, Lewiston is most definitely not safe.

The same goes for Portland. 42 shootings in such a short span of time (plus the two burglaries that just happened, and today's shooting makes it a solid 43) is pretty alarming for a city in Maine. Compare that stat with other US cities, though, and it's like telling someone "hey, I'm pregnant" when they already know you're pregnant.

So yeah. If that were a statewide list, Portland wouldn't even come close.

Rule 4. Editorialized title

Right, thanks for the info.