New social media clips show drug dens in Burlington as staffing challenges getting worse
By Michael Bielawski
New posts on Instagram’s social media page “Burlington looks like s–t” give an inside look at some of the dens where those addicted to drugs and/or involved in crime seem to reside. Also, a report by the police chief on staffing challenges is creating a stir.
Two videos posted by the site moderator on Dec. 8 seem to give candid and up-close looks at the living quarters of an apparent drug house. In one of the videos, a man seen filming is wearing a special full-face mask, as would be found with a hazmat suit. He is walking up a stairwell and into some hallways and rooms, where garbage and debris are scattered about.
Instagram user ‘thefoxandthecrane’ responded to another commenter suggesting that drug users need more accountability.
They wrote, “Oh, you can’t say that! Criminal junkies need to be loved, hugged, and smooched into well-adjusted people. Suggesting holding people accountable makes one a ‘nazi.’”
Another new video shows a stairwell in what may be an apartment building. Again there are piles of garbage and evidence of hard drug use. The person filming the video says “And this is better than last time.”
For this video, ‘Imthespermthatmadeit_part2’ wrote, “Defund the police combined with extreme liberal policies … enjoy 
‘btv802’ writes “It’s all nonsense and nothing is done about it ! That is all stolen stuff and drugs when is the city of Burlington going to wake TF up?”
And ‘brush_dawgvt’ wrote, “Omfg this is fucking terrifying this is happening now in Burlington. B-town used to be my favorite place while I was at UVM. So sickening now 
Another Instagram user posted about a recent armed robbery. The moderator ‘Burlington looks like s–t’ wrote, “Women robbed at gunpoint on St Paul. This story sounds juicy. Someone’s gotta know more!”
‘Joeydepaulllll’ wrote, “What do you expect, this dump of a city thought it would be a good idea to pretty much rid the police department and support Bernie Sanders lol”
Over on X, users also continue to comment on Burlington police matters.
In response to a posting by WCAX regarding a new and concerning police staffing report, @mackpower94 wrote on Dec 16, “Thought you guys liked the lack of police? I remember the defund the police movement you guys screamed about for 2 years. Remember?”
New staffing report
Outgoing police chief Jon Murad put together the staffing report in question. The report details how officer numbers are low, police morale is low, and more officers may leave around the same time he leaves next spring.
It states, “Since the reduction, many high-stakes or high-impact incidents have increased substantially. There have been more robberies, simple assaults, and burglaries.”
Using data from before the department’s defunding via attrition back in 2020, it compares how trends have changed substantially.
“Comparing the 53 months preceding July 2020 to the 53 months since, aggravated assaults are up 44%; aggregated larcenies and retail thefts are up 76%. Although numbers are small, murder and attempted murder have tripled. Stolen vehicles, gunfire incidents, and overdoses are up 364%, 369%, and 371%, respectively,” it states.
The author is a writer for the Vermont Daily Chronicle
