VERGENNES — Vergennes Police Chief George Merkel estimated about 100 area residents attended a Jan. 11 meeting that was the follow-up to last month’s forum on drug trafficking and substance abuse in the Vergennes area.
Merkel said those who attended broke into groups to brainstorm what is hoped to be an effort to curb illegal drug use and sales in the area.
Topics included, he said, what sort of programs to have in Addison Northwest Supervisory Union schools, what steps to improve services and local support for those seeking treatment for drug problems, how to lobby lawmakers for more effective anti-drug programs, how to create a community-wide atmosphere of zero-tolerance, how to help families create a positive environment, and what roles civic organizations could play in such an effort.
Merkel said a number of good suggestions were made, and another meeting has been scheduled for Feb. 8. That gathering is set for 7 p.m. at Vergennes Union High School, either in the library or cafeteria.
Also between Jan. 8 and 15, Vergennes police:
•On Jan. 8 checked on the welfare of someone who was thought to be at an Ice House Court home, but learned he was in Texas.
•On Jan. 9 helped the Vergennes Area Rescue Squad at a Panton Road medical call.
•On Jan. 10 discovered a site that had apparently been used for partying along Otter Creek off South Water Street; police found a picnic table that had been moved from Settlers Park and a lean-to, and notified the public works department.
•On Jan. 11 cited a New York state resident for possession of drug paraphernalia after stopping his car for speeding on West Main Street.
•On Jan. 11 were told $400 had been stolen from the pocketbook of a young Middlebury resident while she was in Vergennes.
•On Jan. 13 calmed a dispute at VUHS between a man and a woman involving child custody.
•On Jan. 13 on behalf of Vermont State Police checked out a report of dangerous driving on Route 7 south of Vergennes, but found no problem.
•On Jan. 13 looked into a complaint that a woman had not delivered a child to a man as required by a custody agreement and learned she had taken the child to a hospital.
•On Jan. 13 cited two juvenile males for driving too fast for conditions; police said the drivers were doing doughnuts in a snowstorm at VUHS near pedestrians.
•On Jan. 13 issued a no-trespass order to a woman who was allegedly making harassing phone calls to a female resident of New Haven Road.
•On Jan. 13 issued court diversion paperwork for underage drinking to three Rutland-area residents after stopping a car for speeding on West Main Street.
•On Jan. 13 checked out a barking dog complaint on Booska Court, but found no problem.
•On Jan. 14 ticketed and ordered towed a car in violation of the city’s overnight winter parking ban.
•On Jan. 14 took a report of a dispute between a man and woman, Main Street and New Haven Road residents, respectively, who got into an argument while riding in a car during which the man allegedly yanked a ring off the woman’s finger. Police said they are still investigating this incident.
•On Jan. 15 took a report in which a city resident alleged his ex-wife posted pictures online of his 3-year-old son in a bathtub with her boyfriend. Police are investigating, and also notified the Department of Children and Families.
•On Jan. 15 drove home a man who had run out of gas on MacDonough Drive.