Police unhappy with her decision to not hold them accountable
By Michael Donoghue, Vermont News First
Vermont’s two top state law enforcement officers blasted Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George on Wednesday for her decision giving a pass to six protestors arrested during a botched ICE-led attempt to capture an illegal immigrant during day-long disturbance in South Burlington on March 11.
George announced that she was taking no action on the three arrests made by Vermont State Police and said three people arrested by Burlington Police will be given a chance to participate in the Burlington Community Justice Center for a restorative process.
George did not make clear in her news release sent to Vermont News First on why she was providing different treatment in handling the criminal cases sent by the two police agencies.
Interim Burlington Police Chief Shawn Burke said Wednesday that George had made his department aware that she was referring their arrests to an alternative justice.
“As a result, BPD will not be participating in the restorative process,” Burke said in a statement to Vermont News First.
The stiffest rebuke for George’s inaction on Wednesday may have come from Vermont Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison and longtime Vermont State Police Director Col. Matthew Birmingham.
They noted that the lawbreakers at the scene in South Burlington had told the arresting officers that Sarah George was on their side and they would never face criminal charges. The comments were caught on police body cameras, officials said.
Morrison and Birmingham said it sets a very poor precedent when police doing their job are told by lawbreakers that nothing will happen for their criminal conduct.
George is up for re-election this fall and will face at least one opponent in the Democratic primary in August. Franklin County State’s Attorney Bram Kranichfeld of Burlington has announced he will run for the 4-year post. He is a former chief deputy prosecutor in the Chittenden County office and was head of the criminal division for former Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan.
“Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George’s recent statement just gave permission for people at large gatherings to obstruct police officers and interfere with arrests. This is a disheartening decision that sets a dangerous precedent,” Morrison and Birmingham said.
“State’s Attorney George has a vastly different vision from our own for what public safety and the rule of law looks like. She has missed an opportunity to delineate between the lawful conduct the First Amendment protects and the lawlessness of criminal behavior that escalates volatile situations and harms communities,” they wrote.
“We take offense to State’s Attorney George’s suggestion that state and local law enforcement bear equal responsibility for the ‘unacceptable and perhaps criminal behavior’ that took place on Dorset Street,” Morrison and Birmingham said.
“Furthermore, to impugn the ability of the police to conduct fair, thorough investigations directly undermines all the cases in the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office, which relies on the investigative work of police departments each day to support every case the office is prosecuting,” Morrison and Birmingham said.
“The state’s attorney’s failure to bring charges in this matter is likely to embolden people at similar events in the future to cross the line into criminal behavior, placing the public and law enforcement at greater risk of harm,” their statement said.
“In fact, lawbreakers in Chittenden County already seemed to know they can act with impunity. Individuals at the Dorset Street incident repeatedly stated that State’s Attorney George would not prosecute them for their behavior that day,” Morrison and Birmingham noted.
“It turns out they were right,” the message concluded.
Several state troopers were seriously injured as they attempted to keep peace between the protestors and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
At least one trooper received chards of glass in his eye when a protestor broke a window in a state police van. A couple of female troopers ended with facial injuries when punched and assaulted, police said.
George did not address the injured police officers.
“When reviewing all six of the cases I looked through the lens of law enforcement, the lens of the protesters, and the lens of the community. Looking for what the harm was, and who contributed to that harm. I see the purpose of prosecution to be, in part, to heal harm caused by the person being charged,” George said.
“Here, I am confident that some protesters escalated the situation and went beyond civil disobedience into unacceptable and perhaps criminal behavior, including the three individuals cited by BPD – but I am just as confident that there were some law enforcement officers who agitated, who escalated, and who responded in a way that may ultimately be deemed legal, but was also unacceptable – so to charge these six individuals with no criminal records, and expect that they bear the burden of all the harm caused that day – is not something I was interested in our office being a part of,” George said in her press statement.
“I also want to be clear that the immediate narrative that this was a mob mentality, that the protesters came there looking for a fight, that they were “agitators” – is all too familiar,” according to George.
“There was a time when Angela Davis, Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, John Lewis, Ella Baker, Fannie Lou Hamer – were all considered agitators, were arrested, some prosecuted, and painted as enemies of the State and criminals for standing up for civil rights in a way that was unpopular. We must do better here,” she said.
“Finally, I am still reviewing all the available body cam footage and other footage – and waiting to review all the individual agencies reports/findings. However, I am still trying to figure out what I am to do if I disagree with any of those findings since my typical avenue of using the Vermont State Police to investigate is not available to me in this situation,” George said.
It would not be the first time George has faced that issue. George tried to get the Vermont State Police to arrest a local police officer for assault when investigators did not think there was probable cause. In the end George never took action because there were no witnesses to support her wish.
George, who has been combative toward law enforcement since being appointed by Gov. Phil Scott to serve as state’s attorney, took another shot at police in her final paragraph.
“I adamantly believe that we need an independent investigation and review of the March 11 incident, not done by any law enforcement agency. We cannot in good faith present findings from an investigation about whether law enforcement violated any laws when those investigations were done by the law enforcement agencies whose conduct is being questioned,” George said.
George made no suggestions about who could step in to fill the job.
Chief Burke said he saw it very different.
“BPD recognizes the degree of harm that was experienced on March 11 as a result of the actions of federal immigration officials, and we acknowledge the impact this harm has had on members of our community,” he said.
“At the same time, the rule of law must be upheld. Engaging in physical confrontations with law enforcement in the street is not protected speech or expressive conduct under the First Amendment,” Burke said.
“BPD encourages all community members to remain informed about their rights and responsibilities,” the chief said.
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Categories: Crime
Well here you go Vermont, this is the demoncrat you voted for. Any progressive or demoncrat in this state should not have another go in our government in any way shape or fashion. And, Dame better crap or get off the pot, grow a pair, and lead the Republican party to victory, or we will truly lose this state forever. Scott had better follow suit as well, and be a leader, not a wish washy fence jumper. Enough is enough with bipartisan this, shake hands across the aisle crap, we’ve heard for years. The demoncrats want to kill this state, and the weak Republicans are helping by not speaking up.
Thank you Josh. You hit on everything, including Dame, which people don’t address often enough. I am sometimes ridiculed when I do.
Sarah George’s response is about as leftist as one would expect from her and the rioters knew it and proclaimed it. I am impressed by her skill in reading the typical Chittenden county voter in deciding what to prosecute and what not to. If Bram Kranichfeld wants to do the research, I am sure there is lots of data that should convince voters that Sarah George’s tenure should end. Here is a start: Why did it take Patrick Ibbottson over 230 encounters with police in 1.5 years before being confined for a significant period? When he set a fire that burned down a house in Winooski, she excused him saying he was just trying to get warm and the house was intended to be torn down anyways. Why did it take Mike Reynolds over 1,850 encounters with police before being confined for a significant period?
ed give your full name or dont post
grow a spine an stand up for what you write.
i agree with your statment but you need to put your name on your remarks and shame on VDC for letting people comment without full disclourse
Her stated rational is seriously flawed and contradictory.
Can the violent protesters be charged by federal government for interfering with ICE operations? When police are injured and there is property damage, there should be charges. Fines and prison time!!!
Sarah George is just another reason why I need to leave this little communist paradise.
The Republican Party should stop worrying about the names that the liberals accuse them of…. and start worrying about their constituents when this whole state goes south to the point of no return. If you can’t stand up to these libtards…. You won’t stand a cat’s chance in hell with no claws when it comes to answering to your constituents, if you are still living here.
Sarah George is funded by George Soros- we need to VOTE HER OUT!!!
Sarah just gave everyone the right to violate federal law and suffer no consequences for doing so.
I’m surprised she hasn’t charged any law enforcement….. she was able to charge a veteran who called a help line easy enough …. but apparently not agitators who injure police ….. hopefully the police will stand down the next time these obtuse corrupt folks call on them….. and maybe some actual citizens will start dealing out some karma on their own ….. seeing as how few are being held accountable ……. Vermont is becoming the cesspool of the entire country….
Sarah George’s persistent perfidy is itself criminal. But I guess Burlington residents love crime so much that they want to invite more. Of course, there is a double standard, as usual, for so-called “progressives.” It is not “no one is above the law,” but “I will personally decide how the law is enforced and applied. THAT is the end of the Rule of Law and the beginning of anarchy. Prosecutors are sworn to prosecute, not reward one political side and attack the other.
Of course, Sarah is a product of the bottom-tier Vermont Law School, which favors ideology and overtly racist “social justice” above impartiality and real justice. The law school praises its darling Sarah:
“Since being state’s attorney, Sarah has focused on ways to overhaul the criminal legal system by finding innovative ways to serve her community. From significantly reducing the number of cases charged and increasing diversion eligibility, to eliminating cash bail and decreasing supervision and incarcerative sentences, Sarah is dedicated to providing opportunity, intervention and wholistic support to victims, families and folks who commit crimes; holding individuals accountable, and implementing smart strategies and innovations that promote safe, healthy, and strong communities.”
https://www.vermontlaw.edu/faculty/george-sarah
Now look at Burlington, and our tax dollars going to Sarah — and Vermont Law School. Both have lost the plot on public safety and blind justice.
Perhaps citizens will one day take the law in their own hands, when the institutions charged to protect public safety fail so extraordinarily. But then, Sarah would doubtless prosecute vigilantes while letting murderers and rapists roam freely.
Is that the plan?
Notice the specifics of her statement. The police didn’t break the law but they provoked the rioters.
She is elected…so the Guv can’t fire her…..but we can in the upcoming election. And we should. Bye bye, Hon. Bye bye,
No, she will be elected over and over again because the people that vote for her are too stupid to know they are COMMUNISTS!
” And the world’s few… evil people have little power without the help of the world’s many stupid people. As a result, stupidly is a far greater threat than evil”
Gurwinder Bhogal
She is such a menace. Unreal that she get’s any votes at all! Arrogant and stupid – bad combo.
Headline should say “Violent Dorset Street RIOTERS get a free pass from Sarah George”
Vermont has what is known as an “Open Primary” This means any voter can vote in any political party’s primary election.
The Democratic Primary for State’s Attorney is a stark contrast between Sarah George, who uses her position to push her ideology and Brian Kranichfeld, a former chief deputy prosecutor in Chittenden County and head of the criminal division for the Vermont Attorney General, is committed to the rule of law.
This is an extremely important primary election. Those who live in Chittenden County, of whatever party or no party, who would like to see Sarah George out of office, would do well to consider voting in the Democratic Primary.
My former groomer, Marina Brown, explained to me the tactic of registering in the opposition’s Party and then voting in such a way as to place a candidate on the ballot who’s be more likely to lose.
As John Freitag implied, in Chittenden County, the real November election is the August Primary. All voters who believe a change is needed to head the Chittenden County State Attorney’s Office should be voting in the Democratic Primary.
And so sings the choir. This may be the first time I’ve ever agreed with Sarah George and likely the last but we’re all just lucky that Federal Fiasco didn’t end up involving gun fire on both sides. There’s a difference between ‘Law and Order’ and out of control storm troopers…open your eyes and give a truly independent ollk at what happened that day. Unquestioningly following the right hand crowd is as bad as blindly following the left. Let the flaming begin!!!
Like what, exactly? Doing a tough job made even tougher by a violent mob?
And I spent a night in jail 50 years ago for giving a Burlington cop the bird.
Judge Costello asked if I learned my lesson, I said yes your honor.
How times have changed
She is sealing the deal for the other guy that’s running against her. She will not win reelection because she is absolutely worthless to the state and to the American people. She lets criminals go. She releases criminals that should be jailed. She gives reduced sentences to repeat offenders. This woman is a threat to our national security. Sarah George needs to be terminated or not elected ever again.
I hope Bram K is not afraid to leverage the she it out of this!
Sarah George’s criterion for prosecution is not whether someone broke the law, but rather how his/her behavior compares to the actions of others at the same event.
She also dropped charges against those arrested because “none of the three has an arrest record.”
She’s also undermining the credibility of the law enforcement authorities, of which she is top official in Chittenden, by doubting the work these LEO’s—who are trying to enforce the law—are doing to promote public safety and restore order.
Sarah George operates according to the situational ethics which deny objective truth and reality, and instead exalts feelings and opinions above the laws she was elected to ostensibly uphold and enforce.
Sarah George is doing exactly what she publicly stated she went to law school to do: dismantle the criminal legal system. Straight out of the Marxist playbook. She makes her puppeteers very happy. Those who vote for her will also make those same puppeteers happy.
You had a candidate for AG in 2024 who would have gone after the SA in Chittenden Co for dereliction of duty and taken on these cases…just saying
Time wounds all heels ….
welchforvermont
Proud to have the endorsement of Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George.
@sarahfairgeorgesa: “As a Vermonter committed to criminal justice reform, I am looking for leaders who understand the inextricable link between economic inequality and the inequalities within our criminal legal system, and who know that the solution demands systemic change. Peter has demonstrated throughout his career that he is one of those leaders, more recently as a co-sponsor of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. I’m proud to endorse Peter for the United States Senate and look forward to him continuing the work of advocating on behalf of all Vermonters.”
You may recall when CNN and MSNBC bent over backwards to remind viewers that anti-ICE demonstrations and riots causing turmoil and unrest across the country were “mostly peaceful,” according to a new study from the Media Research Center.
Now we learn that the SPLC may have been funding everything for January 6th to the St. George riots …. going to be entertaining for the world to watch as the Democrat Progressive Socialists start to eat their own.
I think that Sarah George needs a good kick on the tail and come back to reality. Maybe the local LEO’s should not attend any of her cases to help her. She doesn’t support them, so why the heck should they support her. She is a perfect reason why we have so much crime because the offenders know that good ol Sarah will get them off. But god forbid if you steal something you are prosecuted to the full extent of the law or any other small things applies the same way. This wasn’t a peaceful protest this was an outright riot. I am a native Vermonter and NEVER have I ever seen such a thing like this, never have I seen tear gas and flashbangs used or encountered the violence that was going on. When it comes to breaking the law and police officers getting hurt, destruction to police cars and then getting away with it. I think that the police should take a stand and tell Sarah George to stick it where the sun don’t shine. Let’s get rid of the crime and prosecutor who does nothing but support criminals.
“Here, I am confident that some protesters escalated the situation and went beyond civil disobedience into unacceptable and perhaps criminal behavior, including the three individuals cited by BPD – but I am just as confident that there were some law enforcement officers who agitated, who escalated, and who responded in a way that may ultimately be deemed legal, but was also unacceptable – so to charge these six individuals with no criminal records, and expect that they bear the burden of all the harm caused that day – is not something I was interested in our office being a part of,” George said in her press statement.”
Well there you have it, there is now no further need for due process. We only need to check in with whatever self aggrandized despot happens to be ruling and see what their feelings are about the situation, no need for enforcing the law as written. For that matter why do we even need laws? We could “trust” whoever is power at any given time to treat everyone fairly and equally always…right? This train wreck has GOT to stop! Also, let’s not forget who appointed her…a little due diligence might have prevented this. If the citizens of Chittenden County don’t wake up this time (November) it will be the final coffin nail for civility in Chittenden County.