By Dylan Marsh
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — A recent uptick in shootings have been taking place in Springfield, Vermont. Three reported shootings this month have left the understaffed Springfield Police Department in a difficult position. Springfield’s Police Chief Mark Fountain says both the shootings and lack of law enforcement agents are a growing trend not only in Vermont, but nationwide.
“If you’re paying attention to what’s taking place all across the country, violent crime is through the roof, especially shootings. Vermont used to be exempt from that and we aren’t anymore,” said Fountain.
While the Vermont Crime Information Center currently only showcases data until the year 2020, there has been a steady increase of violent crime in Vermont over the last decade. However, there was a decrease in crime in 2020, suspected to be due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been reported that many of the violent crimes in Springfield were drug related but Fountain stated that they, “can’t be sure why it’s happening, these are still very much active investigations.”
As to why there is such a limited police presence in Springfield, Fountain suggests that there are a number of reasons why someone might not want to enter the profession. He also stated that it’s difficult to find qualified candidates. Out of 21 candidates that applied this year, only one was hired as a result of the remaining 20 not meeting strict police prerequisites. Fountain also stated that the media has vilified the law enforcement profession leaving potential candidates second guessing if its a career field they should enter.
“If folks have been paying attention, before George Floyd, about four years prior there was a trend of having difficulty finding qualified individuals who were interested in joining the police force. Once Floyd hit, that tanked. It still hasn’t recovered,” said Fountain.
The Springfield Police Department website currently lists 18 active law enforcement officers, three patrol sergeants, one detective sergeant, two corporals, two detectives, nine patrol officers, and one parking enforcement officer. In a year they will respond to roughly 10,500 calls and 4,000 vehicle stops and service an area of 49 square miles.
Since publishing that to their website, the number of patrol officers has gone down to five. Aside from the patrol staff being cut nearly in half Fountain also intends to retire in December of this year.
“I’d love nothing better than to fill all the positions tomorrow,” said Fountain.
The Springfield Police Department hopes to fill their positions as soon as possible, not only so that they are able to police their community around the clock, but for community programs as well. Springfield Police, in cooperation with Turning Points, introduced the Supportive Outreach Program to help people who have overdosed by trying to offer them services to help their sobriety. They also have a Police Mental Health Liaison worker to help provide mental health services to people in need. In February 2022, police responded to 17 mental health incidents. Fountain also hopes that his program Coffee With A Cop can be brought back after ceasing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program works to bring police together with their community in an effort to create a stronger bond within the town.
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