BRATTLEBORO-The new Acceptable Community Conduct Ordinance passed by the Brattleboro Selectboard, if implemented, risks deterring people from reporting crimes. It could well make our town less safe.
This ordinance imposes fines on properties with over three police calls in three months. These calls could be about hate crimes, sexual assault, and other violence. If you live in a building designated as a high-response property and you are being attacked, you may have to choose between getting help or losing your home.
Since last year, there has been a 16% increase in calls reporting serious crimes like burglary and assault. The ordinance, if allowed through, may decrease the number of police calls while taking away accountability for perpetrators and ultimately increasing the actual number of crimes committed.
There has been an issue with a small fraction of landlords allowing drug trafficking in their buildings while neighbors pay the price. Our police department, along with local neighborhoods, have coordinated to address this problem and need to continue this work. But the ordinance is not the answer.
The ordinance also sets expectations for behavior downtown. At a recent District 8 community meeting, Town Meeting representatives listened to their constituents' varied views on the ordinance - and their questions.
Questions about the costs of enforcement of the ordinance to both the town and our wider community went largely unanswered. Issuing tickets will be an added municipal responsibility.
Further punitive measures may exacerbate costs to social services agencies that are there to help people navigate challenging systems - and inflict more suffering on people already struggling.
When a person who is struggling to meet their basic needs gets a ticket and is prohibited from accessing downtown, the process for them to regain access to downtown will likely require support from social services agencies - agencies that are stretched thin as it is.
When a family can't afford to pay a fine, and then is further punished for not paying the fine, this can create a downward economic cycle. A new law prevents this from happening with certain fines at the state level. Brattleboro should be mindful to avoid creating this problem here.
Franz Reischman, one of the Selectboard members who voted for the ordinance, expressed his desire for implementation of the ordinance to be delayed. "First, you've got to provide adequate social services," he said [The Commons, Sept. 24].
There is not enough shelter. There are insufficient public restrooms. There are not enough drug rehab services and mental health services, let alone transportation to them. When residents and downtown business owners asked the Selectboard to address downtown safety and other challenges, they were not necessarily asking for this ordinance.
To avoid dangerous and costly unintended consequences, Representative Town Meeting members should vote to overturn the ordinance.
Isaac Evans-Frantz
Brattleboro
This letter to the editor was submitted to The Commons.
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