Brunswick Police Chief Scott Stewart on the WCME Midcoast Morning Buzz

Brunswick Police Chief Scott Stewart, on today’s WCME Midcoast Morning Buzz, says newly proposed increased fine levels for driving while talking on cellphones in Maine, may be excessive.

A legislative proposal calls for hiking the fine for a first offense from $85 to $500, while also calling for a temporary suspension of drivers licenses on the third offense.

The Chief is inclined to favor the latter proposal–and says he could support a short license suspension on a second offense, but says an overly steep increase in fines might cause some police officers to be less inclined to write tickets and enforce the law.

The legislature is expected to consider the proposal later in the current session.

The Chief also comments here on the fatal police shooting of a man in Memphis.