Vermont’s BURLINGTON (CSU) – Following a mention of an increase in criminal activity across the State, Governor Scott released his 10 Point Plan. Brandon Stroup, a criminologist at NVU Lyndon, joins WCAX on Sunday morning to discuss the strategy.
Cam: What types of things did you notice in that plan? How crucial is it that this proposal is made public right away?
Brandon Stroup: From what I could see, the plan consisted largely of conservative and neoliberal policy choices, as I would tell my students. There is a strong focus on deterrence as well as hiring former police officers to help boost those numbers. Utilizing the deterrent approach of police enforcement presence.
Cam: Do we now regard public safety in the state differently, based on how you understand the plan?
Bryant Stroup, I think there is a focus on enacting harsher punishments for certain offenses and a focus on guaranteeing citizens’ rights to due process. I mean, a lot of this, in my opinion, is a direct result of the pandemic when, as you may know, the judges and the court system weren’t operating well. Naturally, for reasons of both everyone’s safety and health. It appears to me more like a return to the status quo prior to the pandemic, where people’s rights to due process are upheld. We’re returning to quick public trials.
Cam: Here in Burlington, there have been an unusually high number of gunshots and gunfire occurrences. What is the likely outcome if Burlington, Vermont, is unable to control this? In other words, is there a way to return to the Burlington we experienced between 2012 to 2019, when there were typically two gunshot occurrences each year?
Bryant Stroup, We must, in my opinion, evaluate it in light of what the epidemic recently did to all of us. The lack of housing, particularly in Burlington, and the high rates of inflation we’re all facing have an influence on us. We’ve just all emerged after a year and a half of seclusion. Everyone may be exhibiting various trauma reactions, and I believe that has to be evaluated. People will become more and more desperate if they are unable to locate housing or afford to feed their children. Numerous studies on crime and its causes indicate that these types of societal evils are ones that, when present in large quantities, will lead to stress and suffering, as well as possibly to greater crime rates and more violent crime.
Cam: Could this harm the reputation of not only the City of Burlington but also the State of Vermont?
Brandon: In his statement, Governor Scott had to admit this. The fourth safest state in the union is still Vermont. We have a violent crime rate that is half as high as the national average. In general, compared to 5, 6, 7, or 10 years ago, many crimes decreased dramatically. So yeah, I suppose for some people, it might discourage them from visiting Vermont. However, I believe that overall, people still view Vermont as a very secure location to visit and call home.
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