Burlington’s decision to slash its police force by 30% in 2020 has backfired spectacularly, leaving the city grappling with a surge in crime, addiction, and homelessness.
At a Glance
- Burlington reduced its police force by 30% in 2020 amid national anti-police sentiment
- The city now faces increased crime, drug addiction, and homelessness
- Current police staffing at 68 officers, well below the approved level of 87
- Violent crime, including aggravated assault and gunfire incidents, has significantly increased
- Local leaders acknowledge the need for more police support, but recruitment remains challenging
A City’s Misguided Decision
In 2020, Burlington, Vermont made a decision that would dramatically alter its landscape of public safety. Amid the national outcry following George Floyd’s death, the city’s leadership chose to reduce its police force by a staggering 30%. This knee-jerk reaction, driven more by progressive ideology than practical considerations, has led to a perfect storm of increased crime, rampant drug addiction, and a visible rise in homelessness.
The consequences of this ill-conceived decision are now painfully evident. Violent crime, including aggravated assaults and gunfire incidents, has surged. The once-safe streets of Burlington have become a breeding ground for criminal activity, leaving residents feeling vulnerable and abandoned by their elected officials.
JUST IN: Burlington, Vermont, a far left town on the east coast, is now calling for more police officers and admitting they made a mistake in 2020 when they removed over 30 officers in the budget after the George Floyd incident. They also declared racism a public health… pic.twitter.com/nI9zn61hA0
— 🇺🇸Travis🇺🇸 (@Travis_4_Trump) October 25, 2024
The Struggle to Rebuild
As the reality of their mistake sets in, city leaders are scrambling to rectify the situation. However, their efforts to increase police staffing have hit a wall. The Burlington Police Department currently operates with just 68 officers, far below the approved level of 87. This shortfall is not merely a number on paper; it represents a critical gap in the city’s ability to maintain order and protect its citizens.
“We’re losing more officers than we’re gaining and that is obviously not sustainable,” Democratic City Councilwoman Joan Shannon said.
Yeah, even the Wokies are admitting they messed up.
The recruitment crisis facing the Burlington Police Department is a direct result of the city’s own actions. The Burlington Police Officers Association has rightfully criticized city leaders for their lack of support, creating an environment where attracting new officers has become increasingly difficult. This vicious cycle of understaffing and rising crime threatens to push the city into a downward spiral from which recovery may prove challenging.
Perhaps the most perplexing aspect of Burlington’s current predicament is the apparent disconnect between the city’s experiences and its political choices. Despite the clear evidence of rising crime and the need for a stronger police presence, Burlington’s voters have continued to elect Progressive leadership. The city now finds itself with a Progressive mayor and increased Progressive representation on the city council, even as the consequences of their policies become increasingly apparent.
This cognitive dissonance between the city’s reality and its political leanings raises serious questions about the future of Burlington. As drug addiction and homelessness continue to plague the streets, and violent crime becomes an ever-present threat, how long can the city’s residents continue to support policies that have clearly failed them?
