Business owners in Burlington, Vermont, say rising downtown incidents of graffiti, shoplifting and open drug use are threatening tourism, worrying parents of college students and putting small businesses at risk, according to local and national reports.
In May, more than 170 businesses signed an open letter urging city officials to address what they described as a growing crisis in the central business district. The letter called for a more comprehensive public safety strategy as merchants reported customers staying away and a decline in foot traffic during peak tourist seasons such as leaf peeping and university move-in days.
Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak has acknowledged the problem but warned against a simple return to heavier policing, saying increased officer presence could undermine progress the city has made on community-based approaches. Interim Police Chief Shawn Burke has similarly cautioned that arrests and fines alone will not resolve the downtown challenges, and has emphasized restorative justice and other nonpunitive interventions.
Deputy Jimmy Baldea of the Rutland County Sheriff’s Office, about 65 miles south of Burlington, disputed the mayor’s assessment, saying a visible officer presence is among the strongest deterrents to street-level crime. Baldea told Fox News Digital that routine patrols and approachable officers who build relationships with residents and business owners can increase tip reporting and allow police to address issues proactively.
As of Aug. 28, city officials said officers were conducting walkthroughs of City Hall Park and that Mulvaney-Stanak planned to coordinate with state leaders on additional measures. Burlington Police officials and the mayor’s office did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.
Since 2020, the Burlington Police Department has increased directed and foot patrols in downtown areas, according to local reporting. Business owners and the Burlington Business Association have said those efforts have not been sufficient to curb what they describe as escalating incidents that create an environment perceived as "edgy and kind of scary."
Local officials and law-enforcement representatives differ on the balance between visible policing and broader social interventions. Burke told a local television station that he hoped residents would "seize upon the restorative justice aspect" of the response and cautioned against relying solely on arrests and fines. He said the department is pursuing strategies intended to address underlying causes while maintaining public safety.
Baldea, while acknowledging that Burlington’s crime levels ‘‘are consistent with areas of similar size,’’ said residents’ concerns are legitimate and that local political decisions shape how effectively problems are addressed. He urged ongoing communication between residents and elected officials, and called for legislative support for first responders.
The debate in Burlington reflects broader national conversations about policing, public safety and downtown revitalization in cities with colleges and seasonal tourism economies. The University of Vermont is located in Burlington, and stakeholders have highlighted the potential reputational and economic impact on parents and prospective students if downtown conditions worsen.
City Hall Park and the pedestrian Church Street Marketplace, longtime focal points for visitors and students, have been central to business owners’ complaints. Merchants have reported incidents that range from vandalism to repeated shoplifting, and urged officials to adopt a comprehensive approach that combines enforcement, social services and outreach.
Officials continue to discuss options as the city heads into the fall tourism season and the university prepares for a new academic year. Burlington’s leaders have said they will pursue a mix of tactics while seeking input from law enforcement, state partners and community groups. The outcome of those deliberations will shape downtown security measures in the months ahead.