Dear Neighbors,

Addressing our public safety challenges continues to be my top focus, and I know it is very much on the minds of Burlingtonians, and our local businesses.

This message is to update you on new actions the City is taking over the next several weeks to improve public safety downtown, especially during the holiday season as we welcome thousands of visitors once again.

Additional Security Downtown
Additional security foot patrols for the Church Street Marketplace and surrounding blocks will be provided by Green Mountain Concert Services (GMCS) starting December 4 and continuing through at least January 7.

These foot patrols will run from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am 7 days a week, depending on staff availability.

During shifts, security be available to local merchants to be present when issuing a no-trespass, and will be available by request to walk employees and visitors from downtown businesses to their cars or transportation.

We will be sharing contact information for these on-demand services to local businesses before December 4.

Voluntary Marketplace Overtime Shifts for BPD Officers
In addition to the regular Marketplace Detail, which patrols Church Street from 9 am to 7 pm Tuesday – Friday, there will be a voluntary overtime shift available to officers in partnership with the BPOA.

These shifts will be available from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am 7 days a week.

Overtime shifts will start on December 4 and continue through at least January 7.

Officers on shift will patrol the Marketplace and enforce local ordinances and laws to prevent crime and disorder.

Officers on shift will respond to emergency calls received through dispatch.

Improved Lighting at the Downtown Parking Garage
The Businesses and Workforce Development Department recently surveyed local businesses to understand their priorities for new initiatives to improve the downtown climate and support the local economy during the winter season. Two-hundred Burlington businesses responded to the survey. The most preferred initiative was additional security downtown, the second most preferred was improved outdoor lighting near public parking garages.

The City will be installing improved outdoor lighting on side streets and walking paths to the Downtown Garage, where free parking is available for all employees of downtown businesses.
All public parking is free city-wide for the first 2-hours on Fridays and Saturdays now through December 31, including in the Downtown Garage.

Learn more about easy public parking options in Burlington at https://loveburlington.org/parking.

How are these initiatives being funded?
Funding for the improved lighting, additional security, and BPD overtime comes from the Business and Workforce Development Department proposal that the City Council approved earlier this month, which committed $50,000 of surplus ARPA to match a generous contribution by the Pomerleau Foundation. I am grateful to the Pomerleau family for their steadfast support for our community, to Council President Karen Paul for securing this support, and to the City Council for approving these investments.

Updated Priority Response Plan to Address Retail Theft
We know that retail theft and property crime has been on the rise in Burlington and in other large communities across Vermont. Retail theft is not a victimless crime, it is a big issue for our many small and locally owned merchants who are the backbone of our vibrant and diverse local economy. To better respond to, and to prevent, retail theft, Chief Murad has made a change to the Priority Response Plan.

All retail thefts and larcenies should now be reported to the Burlington Police Department directly through their Emergency Communications Center, and not submitted online. Clearly articulate whether the theft is currently in progress. If the crime is in progress and an officer is available, one will be dispatched. If the crime has already happened, or if there are no officers available, the dispatcher will create an incident using information from the caller and if further investigation is required, an officer will be assigned for follow-up. More information about reporting theft and the online incident reporting system is available here: Online Incident Reporting | City of Burlington, Vermont (burlingtonvt.gov)

Supporting Burlington Businesses this Holiday Season
I hope you will all visit and support our many local businesses this holiday season, and enjoy some of our much-loved annual holiday programming, including the BTV Winter Market and Highlight. Find a full directory of local businesses at Love Burlington, where you can sort businesses by new, locally-owned, BIPOC-owned, and women-owned. While visiting your old favorites, like the newly re-opened Kismayo Kitchen, think about welcoming some of our newest businesses to Burlington on your next outing. Our Department of Business and Workforce Development reports that 18 new businesses have recently opened or will soon open in the months ahead, including Santiago’s restaurant, Tinkering Turtle toy store, and Belleville Bakery.

I hope to see you out and about downtown soon.

Warmly,

Miro Weinberger
Mayor