BARRE, Vt. (WCAX) – Barre City officials are considering a measure to crack down on quality-of-life crimes.
It comes as local authorities, like Burlington and other Vermont municipalities, say they have been dealing with numerous repeat offenders.
Police say they have at least eight individuals with hundreds of contacts with officers in the past year. Most are classified as minor disturbances.
City officials say a proposed public conduct ordinance would outline acceptable behavior. But community members at a meeting earlier this week opposed the measure, instead pushing for more mental health services to be offered.
“When we have individuals with 367 contacts you do question the ability of those services to work. I think that is a fair concern as well. That’s why I think that the answer can’t only be the wrap-around supports and services. There has to be a law enforcement component,” said Barre City Manager Nicolas Storellicastro.
In the next couple of months, city officials say they will be doing more outreach to their mental health community partners.