[mp775]

Originally Posted by ChadChadderson

Bennington. It's a cycle of people stealing or committing armed robbery, buying and shooting up, overdosing, getting narcan, then going out and doing it all over again. People are sympathetic towards the druggie and don't care about the people who were stolen from or robbed.

Bennington has turned into a total shi*hole and it's sad. 30+ years ago it was a great town with great families and quite a bit of money.

I haven't been in Brattleboro in a while, but over four days in Bennington last week I didn't see any panhandling. There are definitely issues with drugs and petty crime, but it's still a great place to visit.

[OhBeeHave]

I hate to say this, but when I was in Brattleboro in late May I saw a number of seedy looking individuals mulling about, nothing but time on their hands. In the past, I have noticed maybe one or two, but this time around there were closer to 8, mostly near Canal and Main St. I thought they were relocated NYC squeegee men!

[Judder]

Most of Vermont’s larger cities/towns have issues with drugs, poverty, and the societal matters that come with them. The thing with Brattleboro is that the environment has fostered and coddled the growth of these issues. The area is now seen as a welcoming place for those plagued by addiction, mental health issues, and homelessness.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by Judder

Most of Vermont’s larger cities/towns have issues with drugs, poverty, and the societal matters that come with them. The thing with Brattleboro is that the environment has fostered and coddled the growth of these issues. The area is now seen as a welcoming place for those plagued by addiction, mental health issues, and homelessness.

What towns with a high density town center don’t have a drug, alcohol, and poverty problem?

[TinaTwo]

Originally Posted by Judder

Brattleboro is completely out of control right now. The opiate epidemic has hit the town particularly hard. It’s caring, compassionate, and progressive stance to the vulernable population has made it a particularly attractive place for those folks. In combination, the proximity to major drug markets like Hartford, Springfield, and Holyoke have made it a lucrative market. It’s crime rate is among the highest in Vermont, and it has the highest overdose rate in the state.

[TinaTwo]

Originally Posted by ChadChadderson

Bennington. It's a cycle of people stealing or committing armed robbery, buying and shooting up, overdosing, getting narcan, then going out and doing it all over again. People are sympathetic towards the druggie and don't care about the people who were stolen from or robbed.

Bennington has turned into a total shi*hole and it's sad. 30+ years ago it was a great town with great families and quite a bit of money.

What a sad situation. Unfortunately it’s like this here also and nobody cares about the victims of violence at the hands of these addicts. Some aren’t even addicts , just lazy panhandlers walking the neighborhoods and slumming the businesses. Plus they now can pretty much set up camp and sleep anywhere thanks to all the progressive mandates.

[october2007]

Originally Posted by TinaTwo

What a sad situation. Unfortunately it’s like this here also and nobody cares about the victims of violence at the hands of these addicts. Some aren’t even addicts , just lazy panhandlers walking the neighborhoods and slumming the businesses. Plus they now can pretty much set up camp and sleep anywhere thanks to all the progressive mandates.

Yup...same here in Seattle. Very lax with rules and laws. Legalized pot attracts “urban campers” as do the benefits. Also lots of people with mental issues roaming around. “Progressives” ruined a great city. Sad to hear Vermont having similar problems.

[bkwriter]

Yes, very sad. But the cause is poverty, which you can't pin on progressives.

[october2007]

Originally Posted by bkwriter

Yes, very sad. But the cause is poverty, which you can't pin on progressives.

Here the cause is mostly chronic addiction and mental health issues. If it were only poverty it would be much easier to fix.

[bkwriter]

Sorry to drag this out, but the root cause is still poverty. Lots of chronic addiction and mental illness in, say, prosperous suburban enclaves. But you don't get people carping about it and finger pointing, do you?