Breitbart By Olivia Rondeau
Residents of a Vermont city plagued by rampant homelessness and drug use are speaking out against the “lack of respect” shown for law-abiding citizens, and complaining that they cannot go outside at night due to the crime.
Burlington, the small state’s most populous city with just 44,500 people, experiences a crime rate of 60 per one thousand residents, far more than the state and national average, law enforcement data shows.
Just a few weeks ago, a newly-elected Burlington School Board member resigned after police seized about 86 grams of heroin and fentanyl from him during a September 16 traffic stop, Breitbart News reported.
In August, the pastor of the city’s 150-year old First Baptist Church alerted local media to open drug dealing and homeless encampments surrounding the sanctuary.
“We are definitely under siege,” Pastor Kerry Cameron told WCAX, explaining that the church wants to help people struggling with drug addiction but is met with disrespect and criminal behavior.
“Where is the accountability? We are being asked to set up cameras, put up fences, all of these things. Where do we say, okay, it’s time to step up to the plate and help yourself?” she said. “It’s very difficult to be showing compassion when we don’t receive the compassion in return.”
Several other disgruntled residents told Fox News this week that they do not feel safe. Vermont itself has suffered a 500 percent increase in drug overdose deaths over the last decade, the outlet noted…
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE… (breitbart.com)
Home | Caravan to Midnight (zutalk.com)
