BRATTLEBORO-I and many community members see the incredible work our police department does in Brattleboro to make it safe and hospitable for all people. As an employee working downtown, I also know that the police do not issue trespassing citations without good cause.
To even repeat that police officers no-trespass someone for trying to stay warm is reprehensible. The Selectboard needs to publicly apologize to our police department.
It is disturbing that a Selectboard member, Isaac Evan-Franz, would take such an allegation and bring it to a board meeting as if it were a proven fact. Drug addicts lie and blame others - it comes with the disease. Our elected officials make the situation worse and more divisive by accusing the police and their behavior and tactics.
We are sinking this town. It is insanity and delusional to think that offering more free camping equipment will do anything helpful. It won't. Groundworks hands out free tents and sleeping bags in a town without accessible camping or public facilities. It is a setup for the people on the street, it is a setup for our police department, and it is destroying our town.
Our riverbanks, trails, woods, and cemeteries are all littered with clothing, tents, sleeping bags, and used needles. Not to mention human waste. It's tragic, sad, and disgusting.
We need to thank the police and support them fully for the extremely hard work they do keeping our community safe. We need to back our police department and avoid adding to the division that plagues this community.
Kathy Carr
Brattleboro
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