City council fills police study committee amid tension

VERGENNES — After a couple fits and starts and a split vote, the Vergennes City Council on Tuesday filled out the ranks — plus one — of the committee that is exploring whether the city should create a citizen review panel to help oversee and/or work with the Vergennes Police Department. After debate over whether the committee should be formed anew with a new charter — a suggestion from Deputy Mayor Mel Hawley that committee members saw as another obstacle placed in their path — councilors appointed five res … (read more)

VERGENNES — The three remaining members of the committee charged with studying whether Vergennes should establish a civilian police oversight panel are not sure they can complete their mission or how much backing they have from city officials. But Vergenn … (read more)

ORWELL — Six loose cows appear to have been shot and killed Friday night in Orwell, according to a press release issued by Vermont State Police Saturday. The cows had been running wild most of the summer and fall, said Brian Kemp, who owns Mountain Meadow … (read more)

VERGENNES — An analysis of more than 10,000 traffic stops conducted by Vergennes police between 2015 and 2019 shows that Black, Asian and Hispanic drivers were more likely to be stopped and ticketed, while Black and Hispanic drivers were more likely to be … (read more)

We have written previously about the racist history of policing in our country and how police are doing exactly what they were created to do: protecting property over human lives. It might feel good to tell ourselves that Middlebury is different, but the … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — Police in Middlebury are investigating more incidents of leaving racist messages in public places, or of stealing anti-racist messages. The latest is a series of posters supporting the “Patriot Front,” a white supremacist group. Citizens foun … (read more)

The history of the police may seem like it was a long time ago, and it is tempting to think that we should focus only on the present. However, the history of police is not only a relic. Even the star shape of the police badge, which originated from the fi … (read more)

BRISTOL — Many of the nearly 60 people who participated in Monday night’s Community Conversation on Bristol Policing expressed support and appreciation for the Bristol Police Department.  Many also came with questions and concerns for Bristol Police Chief … (read more)

As the national debate focuses—at least in part in this era of a Trump-induced crisis-per-minute—on its public police forces, it’s heartening to see the Bristol community rally around its police chief and be willing to think anew about how community polic … (read more)

When Chief Hanley stated, “I reject completely the notion that Middlebury PD engages in systemic racism and I’m not going to engage in a debate over it,” in a previous article (“‘Defund the police’ arrives in Middlebury,” 6/25/20), it further confirms tha … (read more)

BRISTOL — Bristol will host a community discussion about its police department on Monday, Aug. 3, at 7 p.m. With assistance from Northeast Addison Television (NEAT) the town is hoping to convene the meeting simultaneously in Holley Hall and via Zoom, thou … (read more)

VERGENNES — The Vergennes City Council and more than five dozen people discussed the need for a citizen group to oversee the city police force in a July 16 meeting that started off with the resignation of Mayor Jeff Fritz. Despite the hullabaloo caused by … (read more)

BRISTOL — Bristol residents who wish to learn more about the policies, practices and culture of the Bristol Police Department will soon get the chance to share their questions and concerns with BPD Chief Bruce Nason and other town officials. The selectboa … (read more)

https://youtu.be/hkGSj3vrHfE Middlebury police are asking for the public’s help in looking for someone who painted hate speech on sidewalks in Middlebury late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.  See the full story by clicking here.

Middlebury police are asking for the public’s help in looking for someone who painted hate speech on sidewalks in Middlebury late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Shortly after 5 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, several hate symbols were found painted … (read more)