Vermont
WCAX Exclusive: Inside the program changing Vermont’s approach to policing
WILLISTON, Vt. (WCAX) – At a time when law enforcement faces heightened scrutiny for actions in the line of duty, the Vermont State Police are modifying their methods when it comes to mental health. A million-dollar program years in the making is attempting to close the gap between officers and mental health workers. In part one of her special report, Christina Guessferd got an exclusive look at the partnership in action.
In the field, VSP Sgt. Todd Wilkins and Bill Elwell are extensions of each other’s bodies — every step is in sync, every move intentional.
Literally and figurately, they must always have each other’s back. Even during a welfare check in Readsboro.
Watching them work a scene is like following the ebb and flow of a dance. Their stage on this call is the home of an elderly woman whose family called the police concerned about her well-being. And just like any impressive dance performance, it comes with a lift. In this case, it’s Sgt. Wilkins boosting Elwell through a window to check to see if the elderly woman is at home after getting no response. It turns out she isn’t.
Reporter Christina Guessferd: Do you feel like a team, like partners?
Sgt. Todd Wilkins: Oh absolutely, without question… We read each other. We play off each other. With a simple eye contact or a look, the other knows what to do.
It’s an unspoken bond the duo has built since the fall of 2021. On paper, Elwell is an employee of United Counseling Service, Bennington County’s designated mental health agency. But he’s contracted by the Vermont Department of Public Safety department to be stationed at the Shaftsbury barracks.
And like all 10 embedded mental health crisis specialists across Vermont, Elwell is embraced as a brother in arms, treated with the same respect as troopers. “Short of not being a police officer and not wearing the uniform, Bill is part of the family here,” Sgt. Wilkins said.
Reporter Christina Guessferd: Tell me how much trust plays in your relationship.
Bill Elwell: It’s at the heart of it.
The duo is the most seasoned pair in the program. Elwell is considered a shared resource, who’s encouraged to tag along with any Shaftsbury trooper to whatever call comes in — a domestic disturbance, car accident, house fire, even a traffic stop. The crisis specialist’s job is to de-escalate a person in distress by deploying empathy, kindness, and consideration rather than a bullet, taser, or pepper spray.
“Bill lifts a huge load off the police officer,” Sgt. Wilkins said. “You will immediately see people de-escalate themselves with their body language and everything when they know Bill is not a police officer, that he’s a crisis specialist who’s just there to talk to them and help them with whatever they’re going through.”
“In many ways, all I’m doing is reframing what troopers may already be explaining to somebody,” Elwell said.
He’s a confidant in street clothes, unintimidating without the olive green uniform, tan hat, and tinted glasses.
“It has an impact on public perception. A trooper shows up and goes, ‘Hey, this is my friend Bill. He can really be helpful,’” said Mourning Fox, who took over as DPS’ first mental health programs director in August 2021. State leaders charged the former deputy mental health commissioner with expanding the embedded mental health crisis specialist program that was originally piloted in the St. Albans barracks in 2015. Drawing from his more than two decades of experience at the intersection of mental health and criminal justice, Fox personally oversees specialists and trains them in de-escalation tactics fit for the field.
“When a human being is in crisis, parts of our brain shut down — it’s survival mode — and that can lead to more aggressive behavior,” Fox said. “As a trooper, as a crisis specialist, what we’re really trying to do is influence someone’s behavior so that the situation can resolve safely. And it’s almost impossible to influence someone’s behavior if you have no relationship with them, right, if you’re a complete stranger.”
Fox teaches specialists and troopers how to establish rapport efficiently. “It’s about trust — trust and respect,” Fox said. He says the classes demonstrate how to carve out their individual roles to create seamless community support — the trooper leading safety decisions and the crisis specialist handling clinical decisions.
Reporter Christina Guessferd: How has the implementation of this program demonstrated to you an attitude change in how we treat people in mental health crises when they become aggressive or potentially a danger to themselves or others?
Mourning Fox: The state police are trying to lead by example by saying, ‘We’re not going to do things the same way.’”
Though Fox says many troopers initially worry the extra civilian on the scene will become a liability, they all quickly marvel at the benefit.
“In my opinion, this is a game-changer,” Sgt. Wilkins said. “It’s really the future of law enforcement.”
Fox emphasizes that municipal police departments are encouraged to borrow their county’s mental health crisis specialist if they don’t have one of their own. Soon, he hopes every barracks will adopt a standard of two embedded workers as is done in Williston, for round-the-clock coverage. Royalton is still hiring for its first.
In part 2 of her special report Friday, Christina Guessferd will look at whether the renewed focus on mental health support is actually saving lives and talk to the public safety commissioner about the connection between de-escalation tactics and police use of force.
Related Stories:
Report outlines mental health gaps that contributed to 2019 officer-involved shooting
Embedded mental health worker plays key role for St. Albans Police
Upper Valley agencies team up to create mobile crisis unit
Pilot project embeds mental health worker at state police barracks
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office expands mental health training
Copyright 2023 WCAX. All rights reserved.
Vermont
Annual Vermont Empty Arms 5k Run and Walk commemorates lost little ones
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Mothers, fathers and kids running. Saturday morning, rain or shine – to remember their little angels up in the sky.
“I have found that families who are experiencing misscarriage have a lot to connect about, and a lot to share,” said Burlington mom Margaret Talbot.
Margret Talbot is one of the many women running in the Second Annual Empty Arms Vermont 5k Run and Walk at Veterans Memorial Park.
She says she has experienced several miscarriages and she started participating in support groups with the non-profit in 2021.
She now has a son and says she doesn’t know where she would be without the empty arms community.
“I am so grateful for my son, and the journey that brought us to him. I don’t think that I could have gotten to this point without a community and family that has supported my partner and I,” Talbot explained.
Empty Arms Vermont is a fairly new organization aimed to support families whose babies have died through miscarriage, stillbirth, early infant death, or termination for medical reasons.
The event attracted close to 500 people this year. Labor and delivery nurses at the event say this is an important cause. As they see about three miscarriages, stillbirths, or other related cases each month.
“It’s often an invisible loss. So I think sometimes a lot of people who aren’t face to face with it every day don’t know. We are just here to raise awareness and have some fun,” said UVM Labor and Delivery Nurse Anna Garbolski.
Despite some sadness, people say they are having a good time.
“It was really good, a lot of uphill, but that’s okay, we pushed through. All three of us, this is our second year actually, and I have another on the way, so I guess yeah. We have a lot of participation in our family,” said mother Sara Mckenzie.
“It went well, my goal was to run the whole thing. I did, I pretty much jogged, ran the whole way. So I am pretty happy about that, this is only my third 5K,” said mom, Olivia Heroy.
People wrapped up the run with a little ice cream at the end.
Copyright 2024 WCAX. All rights reserved.
Vermont
Unlawful trespass reported at Vermont State University – Newport Dispatch
RANDOLPH — Vermont State Police responded to a report of unlawful trespass at Vermont State University’s Randolph campus on June 28 at 10:56 a.m.
University staff alerted authorities to the presence of an individual who had previously been banned from the property.
Following an investigation, police identified the suspect as Casey F. O’Brien, 24.
Officers confirmed that an active trespass notice against O’Brien was still in effect.
O’Brien was located and issued a citation to appear in Orange County Superior Court – Criminal Division on Aug. 14 at 8:30 a.m. to face charges of unlawful trespass.
The incident occurred on Furnace Street in Randolph Center, where the university campus is located.
Vermont
Firework Laws in Vermont: What you should know if you plan to light some fireworks at home
Fourth of July fireworks safety tips
Have a fun and safe Fourth of July by following these tips
houmatoday.com and dailycomet.com
For many, fireworks are the literal highlight of July 4 celebrations. Ending a day of cook outs, music and summer fun celebrating the birth of our nation with a literal bang.
We all know the hassle of getting to the site early to grab the best seats, wrangling a number of friends and family into the car, and waiting in the summer heat for several hours. Knowing all this, you may wonder, why not just have your own fireworks show in your backyard?
If you’re asking that question, it means it’s time for another July 4 tradition, folks – the annual reminder that fireworks are illegal in the state of Vermont without a permit.
What fireworks are legal in Vermont
Unlike Massachusetts, this is not a complete ban on pyrotechnics. As far as Vermont law is concerned, sparklers and other novelty devices are not considered fireworks and are therefore permitted.
However, sparklers must be less than 14 inches long with no more than 20 grams of pyrotechnic mixture. Novelty sparkling items are limited to snakes, party poppers, glow worms, smoke devices, string poppers, snappers, or drop pops with no more than 0.25 grains of explosive mixture.
Anything over these limits on explosive material are illegal for sale and use in Vermont.
What is the potential penalty for illegal fireworks in Vermont?
According to the Vermont Legislature, Title 20, Chapter 177, sale, possession, or use of fireworks without proper permit is considered a misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $100 and up to 30 days in jail.
A permit for a public display is also required by the local chief of police and fire departments of the town or city in which the display is being held.
Applications for a permit must be made at least 15 days in advance of the fireworks display. The use, possession, sale and distribution of fireworks is legal only after the permit is granted.
Holding a firework display without a permit as required is also a misdemeanor but carries a heavier penalty, with a fine of up to $5,000 and up to a year of imprisonment.
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