BRATTLEBORO-The new Acceptable Community Conduct Ordinance passed by the Brattleboro Selectboard, if implemented, risks deterring people from reporting crimes. It could well make our town less safe.
This ordinance imposes fines on properties with over three police calls in three months. These calls could be about hate crimes, sexual assault, and other violence. If you live in a building designated as a high-response property and you are being attacked, you may have to choose between getting help or losing your home.
Since last year, there has been a 16% increase in calls reporting serious crimes like burglary and assault. The ordinance, if allowed through, may decrease the number of police calls while taking away accountability for perpetrators and ultimately increasing the actual number of crimes committed.
There has been an issue with a small fraction of landlords allowing drug trafficking in their buildings while neighbors pay the price. Our police department, along with local neighborhoods, have coordinated to address this problem and need to continue this work. But the ordinance is not the answer.
Isaac Evans-Frantz serves as the executive director of a national nonpartisan organization that campaigns for U.S. policies to save lives around the world. For more information on the MicroMOO2 and how to access its services, visit moover.com/brattleboro-microtransit/. To support new Vermonters as a volunteer with ECDC, email [email protected] or...
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