Burlington's Defund Police Decision Backfires Spectacularly
Submitted by MAGA
Posted 28 days ago
In a striking example of how far leftist policies can backfire, Burlington, Vermont, is now grappling with the consequences of its decision to defund the police, a move that now appears to be widely recognized as a glaring mistake.
Once a city that embodied progressive ideals, Burlington has devolved into a hotspot of crime, drug addiction, and homelessness following a 30% reduction in its police force back in 2020.
Originally driven by the anti-police sentiments that erupted nationwide after the death of George Floyd, Burlington's city council voted to cut its police numbers from 105 to just 74 officers.
Now, four years later, many residents are facing the stark reality of increased danger as aggravated assaults have surged by an alarming 40%, and gun-related incidents have skyrocketed nearly 300%.
As City Council President Ben Traverse candidly admitted, the city has become a mere shell of its former self, stating, "We've seen increased drug trafficking and drug use... it was a mistake to reduce police."
Despite attempts to restore the police department, with staffing levels marginally increased to 87, many vacancies remain unfilled. Currently, Burlington operates with just 68 officers on duty—a situation far below what is necessary for public safety.
Traverse's remarks reflect a growing frustration among constituents as they grapple with rampant retail theft and escalating violence. Burlington isn’t an outlier; similar cities like Portland, Oregon, and Minneapolis, where anti-police rhetoric dominated, have also fallen victim to the fallout from such radical policies.
Furthermore, recent election results seem to indicate that progressive leadership continues to prevail. In the recent election,Progressive candidates secured additional seats, ensuring the city holds onto its leftist agenda despite growing public outcry over crime and safety.
The Burlington Police Officers Association has publicly called out city leaders for failing to support their officers or adequately staff the department. Such negligence has sparked concern that fewer and fewer recruits are willing to join the force, leading to an unsustainable cycle of officer attrition.
A Democratic city council member candidly stated, "We're losing more officers than we're gaining, and that is obviously not sustainable." It's a sentiment that echoes across the nation as cities continue to wrestle with similar consequences from radical policies that prioritize ideology over law and order.
As the experience of Burlington unfolds, one must wonder how many more cities will have to face the repercussions of extreme leftist strategies. Americans deserve better, and it appears that the alarm bells for public safety are becoming impossible to ignore.
With mounting public unrest and a clarion call for increased law enforcement, the path forward remains uncertain but clear: a return to robust support for policing is imperative if cities wish to reclaim their safety and stability.
Sources:
westernjournal.com
zerohedge.com
truthbasedmedia.com
Once a city that embodied progressive ideals, Burlington has devolved into a hotspot of crime, drug addiction, and homelessness following a 30% reduction in its police force back in 2020.
Originally driven by the anti-police sentiments that erupted nationwide after the death of George Floyd, Burlington's city council voted to cut its police numbers from 105 to just 74 officers.
Now, four years later, many residents are facing the stark reality of increased danger as aggravated assaults have surged by an alarming 40%, and gun-related incidents have skyrocketed nearly 300%.
As City Council President Ben Traverse candidly admitted, the city has become a mere shell of its former self, stating, "We've seen increased drug trafficking and drug use... it was a mistake to reduce police."
Despite attempts to restore the police department, with staffing levels marginally increased to 87, many vacancies remain unfilled. Currently, Burlington operates with just 68 officers on duty—a situation far below what is necessary for public safety.
Traverse's remarks reflect a growing frustration among constituents as they grapple with rampant retail theft and escalating violence. Burlington isn’t an outlier; similar cities like Portland, Oregon, and Minneapolis, where anti-police rhetoric dominated, have also fallen victim to the fallout from such radical policies.
Furthermore, recent election results seem to indicate that progressive leadership continues to prevail. In the recent election,Progressive candidates secured additional seats, ensuring the city holds onto its leftist agenda despite growing public outcry over crime and safety.
The Burlington Police Officers Association has publicly called out city leaders for failing to support their officers or adequately staff the department. Such negligence has sparked concern that fewer and fewer recruits are willing to join the force, leading to an unsustainable cycle of officer attrition.
A Democratic city council member candidly stated, "We're losing more officers than we're gaining, and that is obviously not sustainable." It's a sentiment that echoes across the nation as cities continue to wrestle with similar consequences from radical policies that prioritize ideology over law and order.
As the experience of Burlington unfolds, one must wonder how many more cities will have to face the repercussions of extreme leftist strategies. Americans deserve better, and it appears that the alarm bells for public safety are becoming impossible to ignore.
With mounting public unrest and a clarion call for increased law enforcement, the path forward remains uncertain but clear: a return to robust support for policing is imperative if cities wish to reclaim their safety and stability.
Sources:
westernjournal.com
zerohedge.com
truthbasedmedia.com
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