Lewiston, Maine, is confronting a youth gun violence crisis after police recorded 35 gun-related incidents this year, including 22 involving juveniles. The city is Maine’s second most populous and has a large population of refugees from Somalia and other African nations.

For residents, the statistics are no abstraction. “I don’t feel safe. I fear for my life,” Lewiston teenager Mohamed Muhumed told Fox News Digital.

Muhumed also described witnessing violence on a city sidewalk. “I saw someone get punched in the middle of the sidewalk over there. It’s crazy.”

Lewiston Police Chief Carly Conley called the gun violence “one of the most serious public safety challenges” facing the city. The growing concern has drawn scrutiny from residents, political candidates and journalists who have followed the juvenile cases.

Jon Fetherston, a reporter for the conservative-leaning Maine Wire, said teenagers were responsible for most of the violence. He also pointed to cases in which juvenile suspects were arrested and quickly released by the courts.

“The court systems are being tapped. The DA is frustrated that the courts aren't putting these kids away in jail... Residents are scared. Residents are very, very frustrated, and you've got kids shooting kids, and it's almost become commonplace here in Lewiston,” Fetherston said.

City officials have approved $200,000 in additional police overtime funding to increase patrols and enforcement. They also have urged changes to Maine’s juvenile justice system, including additional options for repeat violent offenders and closer scrutiny before dangerous juveniles are released.

Mayor Carl Sheline said last month that the added resources are “sending a strong message to those perpetrating gun violence: we will find you.” He also said, “Parental involvement and accountability are key to reducing youth gun violence in our city.”

Republican mayoral candidate Rick LaChapelle, a former Lewiston City Council president, blamed what he called a broken system. “Our biggest problem is the system itself. The police department is doing an excellent job catching these people. We have one young man that's been arrested 5 times, I believe, for the same thing. He gets arrested, gets brought down to the youth center… gets released.”

LaChapelle argued that longstanding one-party control produced rules without accountability and said the system’s rules must change. Fox News Digital contacted Sheline about his efforts to combat the violence, but the mayor did not respond before publication.

No official police or city data indicates that Somali residents as a group are responsible for the violence or establishes a connection between that community and the increase. LaChapelle nevertheless said, “That seems to be who's being arrested right now.”

WATCH:

Lewiston teenager Mohamed Adbei rejected placing the blame exclusively on Somali youths. “I wouldn't just say it's the Somali kids. It's youth in general.”

Somali native Ifraax Saciid, who lived in Atlanta before moving to Lewiston, also disputed an ethnic connection. She identified poverty and Lewiston’s economic condition as the root causes, while arguing that similar violence occurs in other places where she has lived.

Lewiston has also been an epicenter in recent years for fraud scandals involving Maine’s joint federal and state Medicaid program. Saciid said fraud happens throughout the United States among every skin color and class and should not be connected to one particular group.

The Somali influx began about a quarter century ago, when refugees and secondary migrants moved to the former mill city along the Androscoggin River seeking safe neighborhoods and affordable housing. In 2002, then Mayor Larry Raymond asked Somali leaders to discourage more migration, arguing that the rapid influx was straining city resources.

Lewiston now has one of the nation’s highest Muslim populations per capita, consisting largely of Somali residents and refugees from other African nations. Fetherston argued that history proved Raymond correct and that too much change came too quickly for the city.

LaChapelle, who described himself as French Canadian, said his own ancestors came to the United States and maintained that legal immigration is necessary for national growth. But he argued immigration must proceed logically and legally, while criticizing decades of public support for people who remain on welfare.

---

Are you feeling overwhelmed or hopeless right now? Have you been withdrawing from people or activities you usually enjoy? Are you having thoughts about hurting yourself, or feeling like things will never improve?

You do not have to handle those feelings alone. Support is available, and talking to someone can make a difference. You can reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or by chatting online at 988lifeline.org. Trained counselors are available 24 hours a day to listen and help.

If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call emergency services right away. Even a small step, like reaching out to a trusted friend, family member, or professional, can help create a path forward.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Conservative Scoop. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.