BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont Governor Phil Scott is now considering a package of measures lawmakers put together to address ongoing concerns about public safety.
The public’s perception of safety, especially in downtown Burlington has changed. It’s what in part led to a renewed effort to address safety concerns statewide.
“We tried to be balanced by understanding concerns about public safety on one hand, the rights of defendants and the situations that individuals are in that lead to crime,” said Rep. Martin LaLonde, D-South Burlington.
Former Windsor County State’s Attorney David Cahill is among those who say accountability following a crime is the key to deterrence. “The consequence has to be swift and certain,” he said.
Cahill says that also comes with the right to a speedy trial. With post-pandemic court backlogs continuing, some defendants have been released on bail, a tool designed to get people to show up to court. But since trials — and accountability — have been delayed, Cahill says the public has come to perceive bail as the consequence. “If you’re being held on bail, you’re being held accountable for that thing you just did the day before. If you’re out on the street and out on bail, the assumption is you’re not being held accountable,” he said.
Bills now before the governor attempt to address the accountability question. They include allowing judges to include new considerations when releasing people on conditions and more tools for prosecutors to crack down on retail theft and drug trafficking.
Other changes would enhance supervision for people released on conditions. “Somebody to supervise them and help them or monitor them as to whether they are getting into trouble or not,” Rep. LaLonde said.
If signed into law, one bill would create about 40 positions in the Judiciary. Another would create a pre-trial supervision program. Yet another would allow prosecutors to crack down on trafficking fentanyl and Xylazine.
Governor Scott this week pointed to the public safety measures as some of the brighter spots for compromise this session and has said he will sign many of them.