Renewable Revolution

August 24, 2021

Vermont and its leaders have made historic progress in reimaging public safety and creating a smarter criminal legal system. But if you listen to some law enforcement leaders, you'd think the sky was falling.

Recently, Vermont's top federal prosecutor, acting U.S. Attorney 😈 Jonathan Ophardt, claimed that violent crime is increasing, echoing a false narrative that's been cropping up in places like Burlington in recent weeks. Ophardt claims that the data "backs up these concerns." It doesn't.

Read our blog to learn why.

Here are the facts: Vermont continues to be one of the safest places in the country, and Vermont's Judiciary reported fewer criminal charges in 2020 than the year before, with felony charges down 12 percent and misdemeanors down 21 percent.

Meanwhile, Vermont drivers are stopped by police at a rate far above the national average, and Black and Brown Vermonters are still disproportionately targeted by police, year after year. In Burlington, for example, police last year used force against Black residents at a record rate. 😠

That's why Vermonters are still calling for change, and overwhelmingly support prioritizing people and communities over prisons and policing. Instead of fearmongering, law enforcement leaders should be working with the communities they serve to reimagine public safety, reduce the footprint of law enforcement, and combat systemic racism in our state.

Learn more by reading our blog.

We have so much more work to do, and we can't afford to be distracted or dissuaded by false narratives. If we can learn from the mistakes of the past, we can win transformative change, creating more just and inclusive communities statewide.

In solidarity,



James Lyall
Pronouns: He, him, his
Executive Director, ACLU of Vermont

Agelbert NOTE: It is very, very difficult to get rid of systemic racism in Vermont because systemic racism is the reason for the material wealth of most Vermonters. Closet racists like acting U.S. Attorney 😈 Jonathan Ophardt (SEE: Fox in the Henhouse) will never admit that they are doing absolutely everything they can to perpetuate the cruel and unjust systemic racism that has, for CENTURIES, materially benefited white Vermonters who lack a consciense.