VERGENNES — Vergennes police have stepped up what they refer to as directed patrols, including many on foot, in areas of the city where they have received complaints about stolen and or vandalized signs and flag poles.
Police said the damaged or missing signs and flags espoused different points of view, and they are investigating complaints of theft and vandalism as well as hoping to discourage both with a heightened presence.
In all, between Aug. 10 and 16, city police conducted 26 directed patrols, five regular foot patrols and five property watches, and also:
On Aug. 10:
•  Cited Kristilyn L. Arrendondo, 49, of Middlebury for simple assault. Police allege Arrendondo grabbed another woman by the hair and attempted to punch her during a dispute on Green Street over a boat owned by one of the two women.
•  Went to the Kennedy Brothers parking lot to look into a report of an Amazon package found there; the package was later picked up by a FedEx delivery vehicle.
•  Were told a wallet containing $165 cash and a credit card had been lost near Vergennes City Hall and had been picked up, with the credit card used to make unauthorized purchases; police said the incident is under investigation.
•  At a Monkton Road traffic stop cited a truck driver for an overweight vehicle violation (by 9,400 pounds) and failure to show an overweight permit.
•  Received a report via e-mail of someone entering an apartment unlawfully and stalking the occupant; police offered immediate assistance, but the complainant wanted to meet the following day. Police said the complainant had been experiencing emotional duress.
•  Responded twice to reports of vandalism to a Victory Street flagpole rope.
•  At the city station assisted Vermont State Police with a Drug Recognition Expert evaluation of a suspected impaired operator.
On Aug. 13:
•  Intervened in a family dispute at a Monkton Road apartment; police ended up issuing no-trespass orders to two family members of the tenant, who had been allowing them to stay there.
• Responded along with state police to a Main Street location after a report of a woman and a man yelling loudly near Monkton Road. Police said they were told a woman yelled, “No, stop,” and the male yelled, “I’m going to kill him/them.” Police could not find anyone there.
On Aug. 15 accepted a wallet found near Olsen’s Ice Cream on Main Street.
On Aug. 16 responded to a road-rage incident on Monkton Road in Ferrisburgh. Police said one driver got out of his vehicle and exchanged words with the other driver. Police cautioned both drivers about their driving and discussed courtesy on the road.