A few years ago, I was speaking by video conference with an international faculty member. That summer, she would be employed by the Language Schools to teach in the Korean School. She lives in a big city in Korea and was concerned about her safety here. I assured her that women could walk alone in the middle of the night on campus and in town, as I used to do myself. Were I to have that conversation with her today, I would no longer tell her that because it is no longer so idyllic.

It is not compassionate to have people exposed to the elements. It is not freedom to be allowed to take drugs; drug addicts are slaves to their addiction. The State Hospital closed down after Tropical Storm Irene, and mentally ill patients became much more visible and are literally outside. As we consider the homeless encampments, we must also consider taxpaying residents and workers in the village. It is not tolerable that our young waitresses are fearful leaving Mister Ups or Two Brothers after their shift at night. Our merchants should not endure vandalism that in many cases goes unpunished. Our priority must be with our residents, businesses, and their employees because it is they who make our town thrive. Tents in the village as opposed to nearer the elementary school do not make our town’s children appreciably safer. Children should be able to walk into town after school for a cookie or coffee and be safe. They should not be vulnerable to drug paraphernalia or unhygienic hazards that are present without sanitation.

I read in a recent article that Police Chief Jason Covey and Heidi Lacey from the Charter House do not want to criminalize homelessness. Camping on public land is not a right. The recent Grants Pass, Ore., Supreme Court decision allows us to have laws against encampments. I want our local children, residents of all ages, and tourists to be safe and indeed, to feel safe. I want to see our town thriving with businesses and bustling where neighbors linger to chat. That should be our top priority, and their safety spurs stronger businesses and encourages residents to engage more with the community instead of avoiding it. I have recently thought, “I will just go shop in Williston rather than downtown Burlington because I will feel safer and can avoid the vagrants.” Allowing our community to be overrun by unproductive transients is the death knell that kills flourishing towns. I saw Portland, Ore., in the 1990s and lament the loss of that once beautiful, exciting and safe city.

We must not allow this to happen to Middlebury. Vagrancy and loitering have not been tolerated for more than a century within the bounds of civilization. Citizens have always known that people loitering without meaningful purpose is destructive to the community at large and can’t be tolerated. The town must not allow encampments in town, near schools, nor in more remote parks like Wright. Ten years ago, Middlebury did not have encampments. What makes them come here in numbers now? Services are provided that draw the homeless to our little town. We need to eliminate the incentives. Residents are not obligated to support people who are not working.

The charm of our quaint village on the falls offering a variety of businesses is attractive and inviting. If our residents, business employees, and tourists know they are safe, that will draw more people to the center of Middlebury.

Holly Stark

Middlebury