Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Barre City forum balances rising public-safety concerns with warnings against criminalizing poverty
Summary
City officials presented police and EMS data showing increases in quality-of-life calls and invited public feedback on an "acceptable public conduct" ordinance modeled on Brattleboro; residents pressed for services, clearer definitions, and cautious use of fines and trespass tools.
City officials and dozens of residents convened at the Aldrich Public Library on Jan. 10 for a public forum on rising quality-of-life complaints and possible local responses. The moderator opened with police data showing increases in loitering, retail theft, drug-related incidents and alcohol offenses in 2024 compared with a prior three-year average, and highlighted that eight individuals accounted for 367 police contacts last year. "One of these individuals had seven police contacts since 12/31/2024," the moderator said, citing data provided by the police chief.
Panelists included Washington County State's Attorney Michelle Donnelly and Police Chief Brad Bale, who framed the legal limits of enforcement. Donnelly said many panhandling incidents do not meet the criminal threshold and explained that cash bail and preventative detention are limited for most misdemeanors. "Preventative detention isn't constitutional," she told the room, adding that misdemeanor citations often result in release and that there is a statutory cap on cash bail for many misdemeanors.
Residents described repeated harassment, threats and drug-related activity in downtown public spaces and urged stronger protections. Business owners asked about trespass notices and suggested brighter lighting and community cameras, while faith leaders and outreach workers cautioned that enforcement alone will not solve underlying addiction and homelessness. Several commenters recommended a coordinated plan that includes treatment, shelter capacity and outreach, and urged use of equity and data analyses before adopting new ordinances.
Panelists described the Brattleboro "acceptable public conduct" ordinance as a model that creates specific boundaries (for example, a 50-foot ATM buffer) and gives officers a civil enforcement tool short of arrest. Chief Bale and Donnelly repeatedly emphasized the ordinance would not be a substitute for arresting people who commit violent or serious crimes. The forum closed with no formal vote and no immediate council action announced.
Barre City officials said they will continue to solicit public feedback as they consider whether to bring ordinance language to the city council for the required two readings and four votes needed for passage.
