Thugs and mosquitos both more active after dark
By Guy Page
For very different reasons, the Vermont Department of Health and a former Burlington police chief are offering the same advice: If you’re in Burlington, take extra precautions before going out at night – if you have to at all.
The reasons: a crime wave driven in part by gangs of violent youth, and killer mosquitos bearing the EEE virus.
The Burlington Police Department today released yet another statement with information and requests for public assistance about the increase of youth-related violence, much of it occurring downtown and at night. The release includes this startling footage of youth violence, recorded on the city’s downtown surveillance video.
The Vermont Health Department yesterday, August 28 issued a press release urging residents of Burlington – and Colchester, Swanton and Alburgh, all northern Vermont towns with large Lake Champlain waterfronts – to “avoid spending time outdoors as much as possible between 6 PM and 6 AM to avoid mosquitos that could carry the virus.”
Risk levels are based on the sustained numbers of EEE-positive tests of mosquitoes in these towns, in addition to the person infected with EEE in Chittenden County. Two people in surrounding states have also recently been infected — one in Massachusetts and one in New Hampshire, who has died, the Health Dept. said.
Towns at moderate risk include Milton, Vergennes, Sudbury and Whiting. Low-risk towns include Cornwall, Grand Isle, Highgate and Fairfield. These risk levels may change as more groups of mosquitoes are tested.
EEE is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. EEE can result in encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, and can be fatal in about one-third of people who develop severe EEE disease. Most people infected with EEE virus do not develop symptoms, but those who do may experience a flu-like illness with fever, chills, body aches, and joint pain. Anyone with symptoms should reach out to their health care provider.
“Vermont data, and current virus activity around New England, shows we need to take the threat of EEE very seriously,” said Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD. “If you live in a town at high risk, please avoid spending time outside in the evenings when mosquitoes are most active to protect yourself from this potentially severe illness.”
Even if you don’t live in a high-risk area, everyone in Vermont should take steps to prevent mosquito bites and protect themselves from mosquito-borne illness, the Health Dept. warns:
- Limit the amount of time you spend outdoors at dawn and dusk.
- Use EPA-registered insect repellent labeled as effective against mosquitoes. Apply repellent when you are going to be outdoors, especially at dawn or dusk.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.
- Fix any holes in your screens and remove standing water around your home.
The recommendation will be in place until the first hard frost that kills mosquitoes.
Meanwhile, the August crime wave that has struck the Queen City has prompted UVM Director of Security and former Burlington Police Chief and Vermont Public Safety Commissioner Michael Schirling to advise caution at nighttime.
“It’s an old, old adage that nothing good happens after midnight unless you’ve got a reason to be out,” Schirling told News 5. “Unless you’re working, it’s just [that] the city takes on a different flavor the later it gets, so it’s unfortunate that we’re at that point, but that’s become good advice just in the last couple of years.”
Specifically, Schirling advises Personal Safety Tenets shared by UVM police, including:
Be Alert and Aware: Listening to music or using your phone diminishes your awareness of people or vehicles around you.
Display Confidence: Walk with a purpose and pay attention to your surroundings. This includes making casual eye contact with others to display confidence.
Avoid Confrontation: If someone is being aggressive towards you, move away immediately and contact the police.
Trust Your Instincts: If you feel like something is unsafe, take steps to reduce risk. Many people may suppress these feelings out of concern they may offend someone.
Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak said the city has hired a Community Safety advisor to address “hot spots” in downtown Burlington and reduce illegal activity.