Burlington Rethinks Police Cuts Amid Rising Crime and Public Safety Concerns

In the years since Burlington, Vermont, voted to reduce its police force, the city has faced mounting challenges in addressing crime, homelessness, and drug-related issues. Now, local officials are questioning the decision, with many residents feeling the effects of diminished law enforcement presence.

Burlington, a city that has long embraced progressive politics and was once a stepping stone for Sen. Bernie Sanders, joined other cities in 2020 in reducing its police force amid widespread protests following the death of George Floyd. In a bid to redirect funds away from policing, the Burlington City Council voted to reduce its police numbers by 30%, from 105 officers down to 74, over a four-year period through attrition. This decision was part of a broader movement calling for a reduction in police presence, with some advocating for reallocating resources to social services aimed at addressing the root causes of crime.

However, Burlington has since faced an escalation in crime and public safety concerns. City Council President Ben Traverse, a Democrat elected after the cuts were implemented, acknowledged in an interview with Fox News Digital that the city has seen “increased drug trafficking and drug use.” He went on to explain that issues like retail theft and gun-related violence have also surged in Burlington, suggesting a correlation between the police cuts and the rise in these types of crime.

One of the city’s key business figures, Ernie Pomerleau, CEO of a local real estate company, shared Traverse’s sentiments. He believes the decision to cut the police force has significantly impacted Burlington’s ability to maintain public order. “We need to support the police,” he emphasized, explaining that the reduction in police personnel left Burlington ill-equipped to handle an increase in public safety challenges. According to Pomerleau, crime, drug addiction, and homelessness have all been exacerbated in the wake of the city council’s decision to cut police staff.

Data reflects the concerns voiced by residents and officials. Since the initial vote to defund, aggravated assaults in Burlington have risen by approximately 40%, while gunfire incidents have surged by nearly 300%. Many residents now report feeling unsafe being out at night, with some calling Burlington “dangerous” after dark.

While city officials have since attempted to reverse course by raising the approved staffing level to 87 officers, recruiting has proven challenging. The police force currently operates with a staff of only 68 officers, well below the target and far from the pre-2020 numbers. According to a statement by the Burlington Police Officers Association, the city’s police union, city leaders have failed to support its officers, which has contributed to the recruitment difficulties. The union highlighted that even Vermont Police Academy cadets showed little interest in working in Burlington, a stark contrast to the city’s previous status as a more desirable posting.

Democratic City Councilwoman Joan Shannon offered a grim outlook in an interview with WCAX-TV. “We’re losing more officers than we’re gaining, and that is obviously not sustainable,” she told the station. Shannon, alongside other officials, has voiced frustration with the city’s current path, expressing concerns over Burlington’s ability to provide effective law enforcement and public safety services as the police force struggles to rebuild.

Burlington isn’t alone in grappling with the aftermath of “defund the police” measures. Other cities, such as Portland, Oregon; Oakland, California; and Minneapolis, Minnesota, have faced similar challenges after reducing police budgets. All have reported increases in crime and quality-of-life issues following cuts, with many residents in these cities questioning the practicality and long-term effects of such policies. Each has since had to adjust its approach, in some cases partially restoring police budgets or implementing targeted programs to address specific crime concerns.

In Burlington, the political landscape has only grown more progressive since 2020. In the city’s March 2024 election, voters chose a Progressive Party candidate as mayor and added a fifth Progressive seat on the 12-member city council, joining the six seats held by Democrats and leaving only one held by an Independent. For some residents, the political makeup of Burlington’s leadership suggests that the city’s commitment to progressive policies remains steadfast, despite the uptick in crime and the outcry for more robust law enforcement.

Many residents and observers point to the city’s strong ties to left-leaning politics as a factor that may keep the current approach in place. Progressives continue to advocate for alternative approaches to public safety, promoting programs that target social services rather than traditional policing. Advocates of the defunding measures argue that with time, community-focused resources can play a more effective role in reducing crime and improving public welfare than a strict reliance on law enforcement.

However, critics of the defund policies argue that while long-term solutions are important, cities also need immediate responses to crime surges. As Burlington’s case illustrates, scaling back police numbers can lead to an immediate uptick in crime, with the benefits of community programs yet to be fully realized. Some residents are now urging the city to find a balanced approach that can combine the benefits of social programs with the need for an effective police force.

Looking forward, Burlington faces a challenging task. While the city’s leadership has started to recognize the need for a stronger police presence, it is struggling to recruit new officers to meet its staffing targets. Burlington Police Officers Association has also indicated that the department’s current staffing struggles are unlikely to change unless city leaders offer stronger support for law enforcement.

As the city continues to navigate this issue, Burlington’s experience has become a case study in the complexities of reimagining public safety. For now, the ongoing debate in Burlington reflects a larger national conversation on the best way to create safe communities, with different perspectives on whether the answer lies in bolstering police forces or in expanding social services to address the root causes of crime.