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Setting the Record Straight on Burlington’s Public Safety Debate

Friends and Neighbors,

With campaign season ramping up for Town Meeting Day, we all know what’s coming: the tired refrain of blaming Progressives for allegedly “defunding” the police. It’s a narrative designed to divide us and distract from the real challenges our community faces. Before that rhetoric gains traction, let’s set the record straight with facts.

The Truth About BPD Staffing Decisions

The decision years ago to reduce the Burlington Police Department (BPD) by attrition wasn’t about “defunding” the police; it was about thoughtful resource management. That decision was supported by both Progressives and a faction of Democrats at the time. It reflected a broader conversation about public safety, one that balanced the need for policing with a commitment to addressing systemic issues like mental health, housing, and substance use.

Let’s focus on what has happened since then. BPD has faced leadership challenges and inefficiencies that have squandered resources.

  • In FY23 and FY24, BPD received $250,000 each year for recruitment efforts, and in FY24, the City Council unanimously added another $100,000. Despite this, the BPD hired only 11 officers over two years—costing taxpayers over half a million dollars.
  • For comparison, the Burlington Fire Department, with a recruitment budget of just $3,750, hired the same number of firefighters during the same period.

The Fire Department’s success highlights the inefficiencies in BPD’s approach. For example, BPD spent $40,000 of taxpayer money on an out-of-state company to create recruitment videos. Meanwhile, the Fire Department produced a highly effective recruitment video in-house using existing staff resources.

And now, BPD plans to use a significant portion of the additional $100,000 allocated for FY25 recruitment on a social media advertising campaign and a new website. These efforts could easily be achieved for much less if approached with the same resourcefulness as the Fire Department.

Addressing BPD’s Internal Challenges

No amount of recruitment dollars will fix deeper, structural issues within BPD:

  • Morale and trust: Feedback from officers highlights concerns about outdated facilities, an over reliance on overtime, and a lack of trust within the department.
  • Ethical lapses: Burlington has spent millions settling use-of-force lawsuits, some dating back well before 2020. Past leadership engaged in unethical behaviors, including creating fake social media accounts to troll residents and councilors.
  • Public safety missteps: BPD leadership staged a fake shooting scenario to “teach” high school students about unreliable witness testimony—an approach that was widely condemned.

These issues underscore the need for accountability and reform. They are not the fault of city councilors who made decisions to prioritize the efficient use of taxpayer dollars and invest in long-term community safety.

A History of Progressive Support for Public Safety

Let’s not forget that Progressives have consistently supported increased funding for public safety when it was warranted:

  • Under Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak, the City Council approved an additional $100,000 for BPD recruitment and passed a budget that increased BPD’s funding more in a single year than any year under the previous mayor.
  • Progressives have supported investments in improved police facilities and recruitment efforts to address challenges within the department.

The reality is that Progressives are not anti-police. We support a public safety system that works for everyone—efficient, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the community.

Moving Forward Together

As a Progressive myself, I refuse to engage in the divisive, negative rhetoric that some use to score political points. Instead, I want to focus on solutions that bring us together as a community. Burlington’s challenges are complex, and addressing them requires collaboration—not finger-pointing.

I urge all of us, regardless of party, to reject the simplistic blame game and focus on what really matters: building a safer, stronger, and more equitable Burlington. Together, we can rise above the noise and create meaningful change. I work hard across both aisles and place a tremendous value on the collaborative relationships I’ve built and nourished with lawmakers from all three parties, as well as our Independent colleagues. I hold faith that we can move toward that sort of environment within our community, even as we step into another short but vibrant election campaign season.

As always, do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Troy