Norway Police Officer Holli Pullen checks an empty property after seeing a wide open ground floor window. A.M. Sheehan/Advertiser Democrat

NORWAY — Driving the rural roads through Norway on the overnight shift, Police Officer Holli Pullen has her eyes peeled for empty properties and those undergoing rehab or renovations. These are prime targets for burglaries or “squatting” she says.

A week or so ago, she explains, “we had a burglary on Pikes Hill in a house that’s being renovated. Thieves stole construction materials and tools … about $2,000 worth.”

As she drives by a rural abandoned house she points out that squatters had taken up residence in it and had to be removed. She points out some condemned properties that, although condemned by the town for living, have been left to slowly decay and collapse. Pullen says people will still seek shelter in these but the buildings are dangerous with rotted floors and beams.

She tells of a call Norway Police Department received from a resident who had entered a shed “out back” that she wanted to turn into a workshop. Inside she found personal items clearly indicating someone had was living in it, including their debit cards.

“If people would let us know,” she says, “that their property is empty or under construction, we are happy to check it to make sure no one has broken in or is staying there without permission.”

She notes often those who “squat” are either unhoused or substance users with nowhere to go. They target buildings that are easy to get into via windows or easily jimmied doors. Properties might be summer homes, homes undergoing renovations or out buildings that are not used regularly.

While the legal term squatting (or adverse rights) in Maine refers only to someone openly living continuously for 20 years or more in a property without permission and improving it, those staying in empty properties are still breaking the law, Pullen explained. They are criminally trespassing. If they damage the property, they are guilty of criminal mischief, and if they enter a property with the intention of committing a crime they are guilty of burglary. While those are criminal charges, squatting is a civil charge.

Back in town, Pullen points out a handful of “drug houses,” one of which is next to the elementary school. Driving around town pointing out empty properties, she notices an open window on an empty house and pulls over. A neighbor is on the porch next door and Pullen asks about the house, which is not on her list of properties to check.

The neighbor tells of some women she caught peering through the windows of the property who told her that “this will be our house soon.” The women were unpleasant, the neighbor said, and took off.

Pullen shines her flashlight into the house which looks as though it might be undergoing renovations. After walking the perimeter of the property, she carefully shuts the window and adds the address to her list to check. Across the street is another empty property undergoing renovations. Although that property is secure, she adds it to her list as well.

Meandering through the side streets looking at houses, it is clear there are more empty properties than one might expect. Driving down a partially flooded bumpy extension to one street, Pullen points out a wide-open front door.

Entering the clearly unlived in house, it quickly becomes apparent that someone has been “living” there. There are mattresses with blankets, drug paraphernalia, food wrappers, clothing and such strewn around. While no working kitchen, bathroom or electricity, it still provides shelter. She checks windows and locks the front door and continues her patrol.

“All we need,” she explains, “is for folks to let us know where a property is empty. We will add it to our list and check on it periodically.”

She also urges residents to lock their doors and vehicles. She notes that countywide burglaries have gone up.

“If you are renovating or constructing a property, take your tools home with you,” she cautions. “There have been whole (locked) trailers full of tools that have been stolen.”

And it’s not just tools but construction materials as well such as wiring, lumber, pipes, etc. she says.

The NPD posted a notice on its Facebook page asking residents to let them know about empty properties.

Anyone with empty property or property under construction is urged to contact the NPD. They can email Pullen at h.pullen@norwaymaine.com with the address of the property, contact information and a list of those with permission to be on the property. Or, she says, they can call the department at 207-743-5303. She urges neighbors of empty or abandoned properties to keep their eye out for unusual activity and call if they see anything suspicious.