The Rutland Herald reports that the International Association of Chiefs of Police awarded the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles with a national merit award. The award "recognizes departments whose efforts are effective in enforcing the law and educating the public about occupant protection, impaired driving and speeding. Winning safety programs are generally those that combine officer training, public information and enforcement to reduce crashes and injuries."

Link to article

The Rutland Herald reports that "state officials will begin moving inmates out of certain wings at the St. Albans prison early next month — the first step in a massive reorganization aimed at controlling the cost of Vermont's corrections system." Three of the prison's wings will "be vacated starting [on] July 1 for renovation work." After renovation is complete, the site will "become the new home for the state's female prisoners," who will be moved out of Waterbury's Dale prison. This project will also result in the closure of the Dale prison. Meanwhile, work will begin this fall to "transform the Windsor prison into a work camp for offenders." Both projects should be complete by January 2009, although there are some concerns about cost overruns.

Link to article

The Caledonian Record reports that as fuel costs continue to climb, the St. Johnsbury fire and police departments are "working to cut consumption without compromising safety." For example, St. Johnsbury police officers are doubling up in cruisers and leaving one parked when possible and are on foot when looking for crime at night. "The St. Johnsbury Fire Department is also looking at ways to conserve fuel. Daily errands and inspections have been consolidated to reduce the amount of time on the street for all vehicles." In addition, "firefighters are using the chief's pickup to attend training or are car pooling" and "the number of out-of-town meetings are being scrutinized and the department is attempting to use more phone conferences."

Link to article

The Bennington Banner and Vermont Public Radio report that each year the annual Click It Or Ticket campaign aims to "increas[e] the rate of motorists wearing seat belts and reduc[e] the number of injuries and fatalities on roads across the country." During the two-week campaign, an additional 44 police officers will be on the roads. These officers will pull over drivers to perform safety checks, during which cars are "checked for wipers, lights, car seats, safety belts, [and] all safety features."

"The extra officers are made possible through federal funding that is distributed through the National Highway Safety Program." Notably in Bennington, "after last year's campaign, seat belt use in the area went from 82 percent to 85 percent. This year, the numbers look better: It appears that nearly 90 percent are buckled up." Statewide last year, 87% of the people pulled over were wearing safety belts compared to 65% six years ago.

Link to Bennington Banner article

Link to Vermont Public Radio article

The Burlington Free Press reports that Vermont State Police canine team, senior trooper Michelle LeBlanc and her partner, Casko, were named the 2007 Vermont Police Canine Association’s Tracking Team of the Year. LeBlanc was also named "recipient of a Dedicated Service award" which "recognize[s] canine teams that exceed professional expectations."

Link to article