VERGENNES — Vergennes police took a pair of calls last week from a Panton Road resident about complaints they believe could be unfounded due to likely dementia on the part of the caller. Police said they were not the first such calls from an elderly resident, and they are working with family members and social service agencies to obtain help for her.

The more serious complaint came on Dec. 15, when the resident alleged her tires had been slashed and nails had been strewn on her driveway, which she then picked up. Police said they discussed with a family member placing a camera on her property.

That followed an incident on Dec. 12, when the resident reported a stranger knocking on her door and making a vague threat before leaving, after which she said the tires in her car appeared to be low on air. 

In other incidents between Dec. 12 and 18, Vergennes police conducted three traffic stops, a foot patrol, a VIN inspection, three pre-employment fingerprint appointments, and also:

On Dec. 12 heard from a Panton Road business owner that a car had been left in his parking lot for about three months. Police were unable to contact the vehicle owner and told the business owner he could have it towed.

On Dec. 13 looked into a complaint about a barking dog at a First Street home because a neighbor was worried it might have been abandoned; police learned all was OK.

On Dec. 14 directed traffic around a tractor-trailer truck that had stalled at the main downtown intersection when its brakes locked up. Police said the driver was able to fix the brakes quickly. 

On Dec. 15 met at Vergennes Union High School with administrators and representatives of the Department for Children and Families and the Counseling Service of Addison County to discuss a student’s status. 

On Dec. 18:

• Responded to the report of a death at the senior housing apartments on Armory Lane along with medical examiner, who concluded it was due to natural causes.

• Accepted a key fob found at the intersection of Route 7 and Greenbush Road in Ferrisburgh. Police said it originated from Middlebury Chevrolet, and a manager there said he could trace it and contact the owner. 

• Heard an allegation from a Main Street resident that her ex-boyfriend had stolen Christmas gifts. Police said the woman later found the gifts essentially where she had left them, but under other items.