Keeping our communities safe is a matter of trust and open communication. Our local police chief, Mike Fitzgerald, has stated that the Brattleboro Police work to make sure victims and witnesses of crimes feel safe in coming to them. This helps all of us live in a safer community.
Because of recent executive orders on immigration, all over the country witnesses and victims of crimes are afraid to come forward if they are undocumented.
Imagine that you were the victim of a crime and the only person who could testify on your behalf was afraid of local police turning them over to federal immigration officers and would not participate.
This is more likely to happen in Vermont if the proposed revision of the Fair and Impartial Policing Policy (FIPP) isn't improved before the vote on Tuesday, Dec. 12.