Schirling to Legislators: “we’ve had the worst year in history.”

Burlington Police Chief Michael Schirling discussed Burlington’s growing crime problem on a recent visit to Montpelier, noting that “we’ve had the worst year in history.” According to vtdigger.org, Schirling spoke about some of the issues at the Joint Corrections Oversight Committee at the Statehouse on November 28.

Schriling noted that two major problems are increased drug problems and lax penalties for minor crimes which lead to the same types of crimes being repeated over and over by the same people. These types of crimes are committed because people know that if they are caught, they are not going to be severely punished.

Schriling suggested  harsher punishments for both drug-related crime and repeat offenders.  Additionally, he noted that it needs to be easier to see which Justice Reinvestment programs really work and whether or not a criminal has already been involved in that program. As it stands now, there are many people involved in the court process which can make it hard to communicate the specifics of these programs as they relate to those who need the services. (Schiling did note that Diversion has been a program that has worked well in Burlington.) 

The Mayor of Rutland, Chris Louras, voiced similar concerns about drugs and re-offenders and also praised the efforts of a transitional housing program that helps with housing for people coming out of jail. Both Louras and Shciriling expressed concern that repeat offenders do not utilize these services as much as they should because there are not severe consequences for not utilizing them.