Distressing case in Middlebury reveals cracks in system

MIDDLEBURY — Folks walking past the Middlebury police station off Seymour Street during the night of Jan. 12-13 caught an unusual and disturbing sight. A woman camped out in a snow bank, just a few feet away from warmth, nourishment and companionship. It’s not that police were oblivious to her presence; they repeatedly offered her food, shelter, cellphone service and/or transportation to a place of her choice. But the woman, suffering from mental illness, rebuffed all offers of aid. Moreover, her mental hea … (read more)

VERGENNES — Vergennes Police Chief George Merkel — along with a dozen area nonprofits and state agencies — is working on bringing to northern Addison County a collaborative effort among social services and police that Merkel and others believe will better … (read more)

I was relieved to notice a sign outside Greg’s Meat Market encouraging us to “Support Your Local Police.” It was indeed nicely planted and well watched. I’ll admit — at first I didn’t get it at all. “Support Your Local Police?” I imagined an implicit thre … (read more)

VERGENNES — After a couple of fits and starts and a split vote, the Vergennes City Council on Nov. 10 filled out the ranks — plus one — of the committee that’s exploring whether the city should create a citizen review panel to help oversee and/or work wit … (read more)

VERGENNES — After a couple fits and starts and a split vote, the Vergennes City Council on Tuesday filled out the ranks — plus one — of the committee that is exploring whether the city should create a citizen review panel to help oversee and/or work with … (read more)

VERGENNES — The three remaining members of the committee charged with studying whether Vergennes should establish a civilian police oversight panel are not sure they can complete their mission or how much backing they have from city officials. But Vergenn … (read more)

ORWELL — Six loose cows appear to have been shot and killed Friday night in Orwell, according to a press release issued by Vermont State Police Saturday. The cows had been running wild most of the summer and fall, said Brian Kemp, who owns Mountain Meadow … (read more)

VERGENNES — An analysis of more than 10,000 traffic stops conducted by Vergennes police between 2015 and 2019 shows that Black, Asian and Hispanic drivers were more likely to be stopped and ticketed, while Black and Hispanic drivers were more likely to be … (read more)

We have written previously about the racist history of policing in our country and how police are doing exactly what they were created to do: protecting property over human lives. It might feel good to tell ourselves that Middlebury is different, but the … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — Police in Middlebury are investigating more incidents of leaving racist messages in public places, or of stealing anti-racist messages. The latest is a series of posters supporting the “Patriot Front,” a white supremacist group. Citizens foun … (read more)

The history of the police may seem like it was a long time ago, and it is tempting to think that we should focus only on the present. However, the history of police is not only a relic. Even the star shape of the police badge, which originated from the fi … (read more)

BRISTOL — Many of the nearly 60 people who participated in Monday night’s Community Conversation on Bristol Policing expressed support and appreciation for the Bristol Police Department.  Many also came with questions and concerns for Bristol Police Chief … (read more)

As the national debate focuses—at least in part in this era of a Trump-induced crisis-per-minute—on its public police forces, it’s heartening to see the Bristol community rally around its police chief and be willing to think anew about how community polic … (read more)

When Chief Hanley stated, “I reject completely the notion that Middlebury PD engages in systemic racism and I’m not going to engage in a debate over it,” in a previous article (“‘Defund the police’ arrives in Middlebury,” 6/25/20), it further confirms tha … (read more)

BRISTOL — Bristol will host a community discussion about its police department on Monday, Aug. 3, at 7 p.m. With assistance from Northeast Addison Television (NEAT) the town is hoping to convene the meeting simultaneously in Holley Hall and via Zoom, thou … (read more)