Law

A presentation of the 2022 Vergennes Police Department Staffing and Workload Report, prepared by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).

From VICII:

The Right of Americans to bear arms is guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Vermont. That right arose from in the historical context of 1776 when the people in the British colony of America sought their independence against one of the world's mightiest empires: England. Stretching across the world the English monarchy had expanded its grasp to form an empire “upon which the sun never set.”

The North Americans rose in rebellion and revolution to rid themselves of their colonial status to become the American Republic. That revolution was an armed struggle by Americans who bore arms in militias and as individuals against the armed forces of the English. The Right to Bear Arms has been passionately debated since the adoption of the Bill of Rights.

Now, as shootings escalate in our city and across our nation, the supporters of the Second Amendment argue passionately that the Amendment must be upheld to guarantee the right of self-defense and the right to resist the tyranny of the State. Those who seek the regulation and change of the Second Amendment equally passionately argue that gun violence is destroying our society and that gun control must take precedence over the Right to Bear Arms.

Jared Carter is an Adjunct Professor in the Cornell Law School First Amendment Clinic. He is an articles editor on the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law, he received an Equal Justice Foundation Fellowship to litigate a First Amendment challenge to U.S. Treasury Department Regulations prohibiting travel to Cuba. Jared also directed the Vermont Community Law Center and the Vermont Law School Appellate Project, litigating constitutional rights issues in state and federal court.

For more information: vicii.org

From BPD:

On August 22, 2022 at approximately 2211 hours, the Burlington Dispatch Center received multiple 911 calls regarding gunfire in the parking lot of Perkins Pier with two vehicles fleeing the scene at a high rate of speed. Officers arrived on scene, spoke to witnesses, and gathered evidence. Officers recovered ballistic evidence confirming that a gunfire incident occurred. Officers learned through witnesses that a suspect in a white sedan, possibly a smaller type SUV, had fired multiple rounds at a darker color sedan with tinted windows. At this time there are no reported injuries. This investigation is in its earliest stages. More information will be shared as it develops. This marks the 22nd gunfire incident in 2022.

Update:
The Burlington Police Department’s Detective Services Bureau followed up on the initial response by patrol officers. Investigators were able to identify the shooting suspect as Teia Mobbs, 21, of Waterbury, VT. Detectives executed a Vermont State search warrant at an address in Waterbury and arrested Ms. Mobbs on 3 counts of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. Ms. Mobbs was brought to Chittenden Superior Court and held on $25,000 bail. She is being lodged at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility.  

From VIA and VTRJA:

After the Primary elections are over VIA and our partner Vermont Racial Justice Alliance are gearing up our Prop 2 campaign to abolish slavery, no exceptions.

This virtual event features a research report reminding us of the history of the Vermont constitution and slavery, testimonies from those who have pledged to vote in favor of Prop 2, and inspiration to motivate you to see this through to the finish line in November!