NORTHFIELD, Vt. (WCAX) – Several weeks after the resignation of the town’s police chief, Northfield is looking to neighboring towns for help as the police department operates with just one officer, leaving local businesses concerned about public safety.
Kaylan Sweet, who has owned O’Maddi’s Deli & Cafe for 15 years, said the town has cycled through police staffing changes before.
“We’ve run through quite a few police officers in town. I think we’ve been through maybe two or three rounds of taking them off at night because they don’t think they’re necessary – and then putting them back on because they just quickly find out that they are necessary,” Sweet said.
In October, the town’s police chief announced his resignation, leaving the position vacant. The remaining officer is limited in what crimes he can investigate.
“He can’t possibly do everything, and he can’t work all those hours either, so people are sitting here going, who do I call?” Sweet said.
Historically, the Vermont State Police respond when resources allow, and officers from nearby Berlin respond as mutual aid on high-priority calls. Berlin Police Chief James Pontbriand said his department needs to be paid if the arrangement continues, hoping that sheds light on the issues Northfield PD is facing.
“I feel like if we continue to be a bandaid or state police continue to be a bandaid or other agencies – there’s really no compulsion to move forward and try to rectify the situation,” Pontbriand said.
At Northfield’s Selectboard meeting this week, officials introduced a draft proposal to pay Berlin for services. While questions remain about how it would work, Pontbriand said he was never told about the proposal.
“I’m not sure that we’re really willing to enter into that much doubt and questioning without a lot of communication going back and forth with that other municipality,” Pontbriand said.
Other businesses worry about what could happen if the department can’t rebuild. Janine Manninen from Second Hand Judy said she wants assurance that police will be available if needed.
“If we need them, are they going to be there for us? I’m just not quite certain about that. We’ve been here since August 1st, and we haven’t had to call the police yet. But I do like to know that if we need them, they are there,” Manninen said.
Northfield officials did not respond to requests for comment.
