A Boothbay Harbor police officer has returned home to walk his old beat. Officer Brent Barter started his law enforcement career in 1996 working for the county jail, and later Boothbay Harbor Police Department. He worked in Boothbay Harbor for five years before taking a job with Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department. He worked as a deputy sheriff for nearly 15 years before moving his family to South Carolina. While moving south provided a warmer climate, it wasn’t necessarily a better one, according to the Barter family. “We thought we’d try it out, but  found out, it’s easier to add a layer of clothing than remove one.  So we decided to come back, and are glad we did,” Barter said. 

But hot, humid and uncomfortable year round weather wasn’t the only reason for the family’s return. Barter found working as a South Carolina law enforcement officer not as enjoyable as in Lincoln County. He recalled his duties in Maine required more citizen education than enforcement. 

“It is totally different in the south. I really enjoy the people here, and wanted to return. Here, we do a lot of community policing and checking on the elderly. In the south, there is more violent crime,” he said.

In May, Barter returned to Boothbay Harbor for a visit and met with an old friend from high school, Boothbay Harbor Police Chief Bob Hasch. Barter, Hasch and Sgt. Patrick Higgins all started on the department around the same time and are all about the same age. Hasch told Barter there was a patrolman’s job opening which prompted Barter to apply for his old job. When Barter returned to South Carolina, he began working on his Maine law enforcement recertification in preparation for returning to his old beat.

“I knew Chief Hasch and Sgt. Higgins from high school, too. So to come back with them still here made it all the better. I’m glad to be back in Boothbay Harbor working on the department, again,” Barter said.

Hasch is also glad to add an experienced patrolman, well-known within the community, to his small department. “We are glad to have Officer Barter back here. He knows the people, the area and he cares about having a positive impact. Brent will be an excellent long term addition,” Hasch said.

Besides working with some old friends, he is impressed with the department’s new officers. “I’m really amazed at how well-trained these young guys are. They are like my kids’ ages, and I’m so impressed on how much they know,” he said. 

For Barter, the best part about his job is serving others and keeping them safe. And it seems, the public is glad one of Boothbay Harbor’s finest is back on the beat. During his patrols, he’s been greeted by old friends wishing him well on his return. “I really like looking out for people and it seems others are happy to see me, too. I can't tell you how many bags of candy I received from the public,” he said.