Prison Population: Recent Headlines

Leahy will lead hearing on rural crime

2008-11-26T21:16:06Z

Vermont Public Radio reports that "Senator Patrick Leahy plans to come to St. Albans next week to chair a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on rural crime." The hearing will "focus on drug-related crimes and efforts to address drug abuse through prevention, treatment and enforcement." Leahy said "he's hoping to learn what the federal government can do to help small communities like St. Albans deal with the recent growth in drug-related crimes." Those scheduled to testify at the hearing include law enforcement officials and drug prevention specialists.

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Police see evidence of gang activity on Bennington's streets

2008-11-25T21:43:38Z

The Bennington Banner reports that according to Bennington Police Detective Peter Urbanowicz, "Police started noticing spray painting, referred to as 'tagging,' of gang symbols around [Bennington] in the late spring and early summer, and it has continued." In addition, "alleged gang members have also been recently prosecuted on assault, drug and larceny charges in Bennington District Court," and there has been "evidence of gang activity, such as initiation rituals." Indeed, "police know of 'beat-in' or 'jump-in' initiations occurring in town where potential gang members were forced to fight a number of existing members in order to join. [Police] have not found evidence of 'sexed-in' initiations where female members would have to perform sexual acts to gain entry, but with female members present, it is a possibility." Notably, "the activity has mostly been associated with the Bloods, a nationwide gang that has broken down into numerous regional sub-groups. But there has been evidence of the Crips, the Bloods' long-standing rival, in town and of the Hells Angels, a worldwide motorcycle gang that claims to be law-abiding."

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State's top cop says economy leads to crime spike

2008-11-24T17:58:20Z

Vermont Public Radio reports that Col. James Baker, head of the Vermont State Police, "thinks the tough economic times [are] leading to an increase in crime in the state." So far this year, the state has seen 19 homicides. "The state usually averages between 9 and 12." Baker commented that a "Wednesday shootout between a state trooper and a Proctor man, who was wounded in the melee, is one of many desperate criminal acts that have occurred recently."

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