Louras said that he spoke with Senator Patrick Leahy this afternoon and it appears likely that Rutland will receive an earmark for public safety through the Omnibus Bill that is set to be voted on next week.
Posed with the question, Trapeni said that it seems like the problematic areas in the city are limited to about five streets in the city, and he doesn't think that there is a "boots on the ground" presence in this area. In the summer months, he'd like to see officers on bikes in the neighborhoods as well.
Follow up: With the number of individuals being released into the community by the Department of Corrections, what is the mayor's role in making sure residents are safe?
Trapeni said he would like to see the state subsidize the city's police department if we are made to absorb this many people.
Louras said he began working on this issue a year ago this week, and has been meeting regularly with DOC.
He said he is also working to change the length of time that DOC requires these supervised individuals released into the community to remain here.
In the past six months he's been talking to the Barre mayor, who is up against the same problem. Louras is pushing the Rutland County delegation to make sure that the city's costs are reimbursed by the state.
Trapeni asks to follow up.
He said that one problem is people released under these programs are required to have jobs, but there are no jobs currently. He thinks this will only create a greater issue.
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