by Guy Page
Of the eight homicides committed in Vermont in October, most are drug-trafficking related, Vermont State Police commander Col. Matthew Birmingham said at a press conference today.
“The majority of the cases have a drug component to them,” Birmingham said.
He wouldn’t say which cases are drug-related. At least one of the eight – accused fentanyl dealer Jeffrey Caron of Barre, whose body was found in Plainfield last week – has a known drug trafficking connection.
Gov. Phil Scott agreed that illegal drugs are one, if not the main, driver in the killings. “The common thread I see is the drug trafficking,” he said. As details emerge the thread will become more clear, he predicted.
“It’s been building for a while,” Scott said. The administration’s 10-point plan to reduce gun violence, released this summer, is still the right way to go – “just more of it.”
Speeding & law enforcement – When a reporter asked why state troopers don’t pull over speeders going 78 MPH anymore like they did 10-20 years ago, Scott responded:
“10-20 years ago, things were different, we didn’t have the same level of crime.”
Col. Birmingham further explained that speeding is a national problem. Cars are made better and go faster. In Vermont, the VSP have a 15% roster vacancy. There’s an added focus on driving impaired and using cellphones. In short, there’s more grace now for speeders in the 70 and 80 MPH range, he said.
VSP still in Burlington – Vermont State Police are still patrolling in downtown Burlington. They are volunteers and are paid overtime by the City of Burlington.
Categories: Crime
I just posted this on another page, but here it goes again ! “Murder is murder, but I’d be interested in knowing the percent of all crime that has it’s roots in the illicit drug market making inroads here, from out of state. I have not heard that statistic yet.” I will add that there needs to be consequences for the “lesser” crimes that judges, and prosecutors are allowing to walk. Question, If a prosecutor refuses to prosecute, is he or she still a “prosecutor”?
There are days when I wish Archer Mayor’s books weren’t fiction, and the main character, Joe Gunther and his VBI team were alive and well, and helping the VSP.
In terms of reality, I pray for better days, the restoration of morals and maybe a little more common sense which seems to diminish in proportion to the degree of someone’s wokeness.
Those of us who worked law enforcement saw this coming years ago. We often heard rumors, stories, etc about drug dealers robbing people, beating people who ripped them off etc. We knew there would be a day that the dealers would have to up their game. I worked when drugs were controlled by The Bloods from New York City. They have been replaced by very violent Hispanic gangs from Massachusetts. Call me a racist for speaking the truth but it is what it is. Liberal “representatives” creating legislation that rewards the criminal and punishes the victim. Open the doors Vermont. Look what the results are.