BELFAST — Belfast Police responded to a local gas station Jan. 30, after the store management requested a civil standby by police while they asked customers to leave, according to a Jan. 31 media report from Belfast Police Chief Robert Cormier. 

Upon arrival at the scene, officers learned that one of the individuals being asked to leave the Northport Ave. Circle K, Najee White, 27, of Swanville, was in possession of something that appear to be illegal narcotics, according to the release. 

White was arrested at the scene and released with a summons for unlawful possession of scheduled drugs. 

An arraignment for White has been scheduled for March 3, at 8:30 a.m.

It is noted in the release that the case remains under investigation and additional charges may be forthcoming. 

A civil standby, sometimes called a civil assist, generally refers to a citizen or business requesting police presence in an effort to maintain the peace and stop a potentially volatile situation from escalating. Civil standby requests are often used following the issuance of a protection from abuse order, allowing the abused party to safely retrieve personal possessions. 

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com