John Klar: Vermont gangs rising and will get worse
If Vermont police arrest these extremely violent offenders, they are condemned as racists. No wonder crime in Burlington and Vermont is skyrocketing. It will doubtless get worse.
Ben & Jerry’s joins liberal cohort calling for citizen-led police oversight in Burlington
Ben & Jerry’s, the Vermont ice cream giant owned by Unilever, has formally endorsed a resolution set for Town Meeting Day in Burlington concerning the creation of a citizen-led police oversight body.
Burlington police helped de-escalate hostage situation in Milton, also solved 51-year-old cold case
The Burlington Police Department’s new monthly police chief report is out, along with multiple press releases on recent incidents, which show the force is making progress despite opposition from the “defund the police” movement.
Randolph to vote on police proposal
When Randolph voters hit the ballot box on Town Meeting Day, they will be deciding how to fill four spots on the selectboard and whether to boost the police budget to over $770,000 for the following fiscal year, up 121%.
Bill gives state another tool to ban police officers from working in Vermont
A House bill introduced Tuesday would give the Vermont Criminal Justice Council another powerful tool to find police officers guilty of law enforcement misconduct.
Store in Rutland resorts to no-trespass orders in attempt to slow retail theft
As crime continues to rise in many areas of the state, one store manager from Rutland told True North Reports how things are going on the outskirts of the state’s third-largest city.
Another shooting in Burlington, and police chief responds to critics of overtime policy
There was another shooting in Burlington involving a man shot in the chest at an apartment building — the victim is in stable condition and the suspect is in custody.
Commissioner: Staff shortage within Department of Corrections improving
After reaching what had been described as “a crisis,” efforts to shore up staff shortages within each of Vermont’s six corrections facilities have been fruitful, according to a state official.
Police chief calls out senator for statements regarding retail theft offenders
South Burlington Police Chief Shawn Burke isn’t pleased with how Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth, D/P-Chittenden, has been representing crime in his city — especially retail theft.
Vermont bill would create study group to eliminate cash bail
The American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont is backing House Bill 88, an act relating to reducing the imposition of cash bail in the state’s judicial system. The legislation is sponsored by Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun, D-Windham, who serves on the House Committee on Corrections and Institutions.
Defense lawyer gets acquittal of police officer charged with assault, takes media to task
An Associated Press news story on the Friday, Jan. 18 acquittal of former St. Albans police officer Mark Schwartz for simple assault was lacking in crucial details, Schwartz’s lawyer Robert Kaplan of Burlington concluded. So he’s taken the news service to task.
Brattleboro Police chief warns against public takeover of disciplining officers
On the “Morning Drive” radio show earlier this month, Brattleboro Police Chief Norma Hardy explained why recent calls to allow the public to take over the disciplinary process for officers suspected of misconduct — and cutting out the chief from that process — is a bad idea.