BRISTOL — On March 2, Bristol Police Chief Kevin Gibbs gave a tour of the cruiser to a kindergarten class at Bristol Elementary School. This class set a record when challenged to see how many people could fit in the back seat of the cruiser, getting 12 into the back seat.
Between Feb. 27 and March 5, Bristol police conducted six town-contracted traffic patrols, covering Burpee and Monkton roads and the Daniel’s Four Corners area. Officers issued three tickets and two warnings for speeding, and two warnings for defective equipment
During that period, Bristol police conducted security checks at Mount Abraham Union High School on Feb. 27 and 28 and on March 1, 2, 3, and 5 and downtown business checks on Feb. 28, March 3 and March 5. On Feb. 28, an officer found one downtown business unsecured, checked the premises and secured the building. During that same week, Bristol police took fingerprints for employment and/or school-related background checks for four individuals.
In other actions that week, Bristol police:
•  Stopped a vehicle southbound on Route 116 from Starksboro reported as crossing into oncoming traffic and nearly causing head-on collisions. The officer found no signs of driver impairment. The driver admitted to being tired but did not recall driving dangerously as reported. The officer conducted a consent search of the vehicle, found no intoxicants, and issued a warning.
•  Responded to MAUHS on Feb. 27 for a student reported as refusing to complete work and follow directions from school staff. The officer engaged with the student and asked him/her to leave the grounds. There have been on-going concerns about this student. A report will be filed with the Addison County State’s Attorney’s Office, where a petition for state custody of the juvenile is pending.
•  Received a report from a district resident on Feb. 27 regarding the smell of meth use from a neighbor’s apartment. Police made no response as multiple prior reports have been received from this complainant and all were unfounded. Police are looking into mental health services for the complainant.
•  Provided security for a Mount Abe basketball game on Feb. 27.
•  Stopped a vehicle driving through the Shaw’s parking lot with an inspection sticker that appeared to be altered on Feb. 28. The officer issued tickets for altering an inspection sticker, not having insurance, and plates not assigned. The vehicle was towed from the scene.
•  Worked out of the office at Bristol Elementary School on Feb. 27, interacting with students and staff in the classrooms and hallways.
•  Completed a two-hour training session on computer forensic software at the Bristol Police Department on Feb. 28.
•  Responded on Feb. 28 to a reported disruptive Mount Abe student refusing to cooperate with school staff. Police engaged with the student, but were unable to reach the parents. The student was taken home.
•  Investigated a minor crash reported near the intersection of Park Place and School Street on Feb. 28. Police determined that a vehicle turning into parking at the old high school was struck by another vehicle pulling out of a parking spot.
•  Responded to MAUHS where a student was reported as being disruptive and noncompliant on March 1. Police transported the student home. Court action is pending.
•  Investigated a vehicle reported as driving away from Maplefields without paying and leaking fuel badly. Police determined the driver is a regular Maplefields customer but not known by name. Police conducted a registration check but found no record of the vehicle. Police then checked the customer’s possible residence with no results.
•  Worked out of the office at Bristol Elementary on March 1. Chief Gibbs visited two grade 5/6 classes and read books as part of a guest reader program.
•  Opened a vehicle in the Rite Aid parking lot on March 1 for a woman who had locked her keys inside.
•  Received a report on March 2 of a reckless driver on Route 116. As reported, a black Chevy Impala nearly caused a crash near a residence in Starksboro, and the vehicle was headed toward Bristol at high speed. Police searched for the vehicle but did not find it.
•  On March 2, an off-duty officer learned of a burglar alarm going off at a Ferrisburgh business, while traveling thru the area. The officer made contact with the key holder, determined the alarm to be false, and notified the Vermont State Police.
•  Initiated a computer-related investigation after receiving a tip from an Internet service provider on March 2.
•  Provided security at a Mount Abe basketball game on March 2.
•  Worked out of Bristol Elementary on March 3, interacting with students and staff in the classrooms, hallways and lunchroom.
•  Received a report of a known sex offender sitting in a parked car at the Kountry Trailer Park on March 3. Police found the subject waiting with the owner of an unoccupied trailer to show the trailer to a prospective buyer. No registry or law violation was found.
•  Assisted Vermont State Police with a custodial dispute on Hewitt Road on March 3.
•  Took a report of a theft on West Street on March 4. The complainant said that she put her wallet down on the counter to pour a cup of coffee, and when she turned back around the contents of her wallet were gone.
•  Advised a South Street homeowner to turn down the volume on their music after receiving a noise complaint from a neighbor on March 4.
•  Assisted Vermont State Police with processing a driver whose license was criminally suspended on March 4.