WATERVILLE -- Drug dealers would be wise to stay away from this city if they want to peddle their wares.

Police are designating parks, playgrounds, athletic fields and recreational facilities as drug-free areas, taking advantage of a law that allows stiffer penalties than usual for dealers caught selling near places frequented by children.

Public-works crews are placing 21 "Drug-Free Safe Zone" signs in those areas, warning dealers that they'll be treated more harshly there than if they are nabbed in other places.

The Safe Zones are treated similar to schools, where dealers caught within 1,000 feet automatically face higher fines and/or jail time. The laws also apply to those possessing illegal drugs in those zones.

"There aren't going to be a whole lot of places in Waterville that aren't covered by this," said Officer Duane Cloutier.

Cloutier and Detective Chris Paradis make up the Police Department's drug unit, which works solely on drug cases. They predict the drug-free zone signs will help in the battle to keep drugs off the streets and to deter dealers.

Chief Deputy Charles Rumsey said Thursday that the drug problem in the city is very serious.

"We're certainly seeing, as time goes on, an influx of harder drugs -- heroin, cocaine and prescription pills are a major concern for us -- and it's something we deal with every day," Rumsey said.

Possession of less than 14 grams of cocaine, for instance, is a Class C felony, punishable by up to five years in jail, according to Detective Sgt. John Gould. If a person possessing that amount of cocaine is found within 1,000 feet of a school or designated drug-free zone, the charge is elevated to a Class B felony, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Penalties vary, depending on the amount of drugs found.

"They can impose a fine as well," Gould said Thursday.

Selling an illegal drug carries a higher penalty than possession, he said.

The law which allows the drug-free zones to be designated was enacted in 2005 and is called "An Act to Protect Children Using Maine's Athletic Fields and Parks from Drug Dealers."

Rumsey said Waterville's black and white, 24-by-18-inch signs were purchased with funds received from drug investigations conducted by Waterville police. Those funds come through the District Attorney's Office and are accepted by the City Council.

The cost for Waterville's signs was $946, and the city installs them.

"I think that's the best thing about it -- it's basically no cost to the city," Rumsey said.

Paradis and Cloutier said about a handful of signs have yet to be installed. Areas where they have been or will be erected include North Street Recreation Area; Couture Field off Water Street; Green Street Field and Playground; Castonguay Square downtown; Purnell Field on Matthews Avenue; Kennebec River boat landing off Water Street; Quarry Road Recreation Area, Pine Ridge Recreation Area on West River Road; Head of Falls off Front Street; Coburn Park located at the corner of Park and Elm streets; Peters Field off Armory Road; Dave's Place at Oak and High streets; and the Kennebec Valley Community Action Program Playground on Water Street.

Neighborhood "Tot Lots" also will have signs. They are located on Chaplin, Sterling, Grove, Kelsey, Ticonic and Moor streets, as well as Hillside Court and Western Avenue.

"The Police Department feels that the adoption of this program and installation of the proposed signs will provide us with another tool to be used to combat the sale of illicit substances in our city and send a powerful message to those who live and play in our community regarding our collective desire to make Waterville a safe place to be," police Chief Joseph Massey said.

Amy Calder -- 861-9247

acalder@centralmaine.com