By Paul Sylvain

Machias business owners and residents should sleep a little easier at night beginning Sept. 21. That’s when the Machias Police Department will initiate 24-hour, ‘round-the-clock law enforcement coverage at least three nights a week.

Machias Police Chief Keith Mercier told the selectboard on Sept. 10 that providing a 24-hour presence had been a priority goal for him since his arrival in Machias four years ago. His biggest hurdle, he said, was building a department with enough reserve officers to make it happen.