By Sarah Roebuck
Police1
BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — Many police departments across the country continue to be understaffed. To help bridge the gap, a small department in Vermont is turning to private security for help, WCAX reports.
The transportation center in Brattleboro is a hot spot for illegal activity. Because the Brattleboro Police Department is so short-staffed, routine patrols require too much manpower.
To provide a temporary solution following complaints from the public, the town is hiring private security to patrol the transportation center and municipal office complex. The unarmed guards will be in place for the summer months.
The town has also seen an uptick in break-ins. While businesses say it’s mostly petty crimes, the break-ins are taking a toll.
“It won’t completely fix everything but I think it will have an impact. The more there is a personal presence and physical presence and eyes and ears and boots on the ground, the better it will be for all of us,” Jon Potter, the executive of a theater downtown, told WCAX.
The pilot project is only a test for now. The town will be seeking input from the public to help determine its success.