[ACT NOW] Ask the Council to Move Burlington Forward

Burlington needs a better approach to supporting people in crisis and addressing the harm occurring in our public spaces.

We must always treat our neighbors with dignity. People in crisis deserve help connecting to shelter, treatment, recovery, housing, and long-term stability. We must also enforce our laws consistently when criminal conduct causes harm in public spaces, so those spaces remain safe and welcoming for everyone, including families and children.

On Monday, August 3, the City Council is expected to debate a proposal to address these issues and send it to committees for further public review and refinement.

BBF supports moving this proposal forward.

Contact your city councilors today and ask them to move Burlington Forward to council committees and return a strengthened resolution for a final public vote. [https://secure.everyaction.com/eYewyVQSfke__SXPEdWnBA2]

CONTACT YOUR CITY COUNCILORS [https://secure.everyaction.com/eYewyVQSfke__SXPEdWnBA2]

The resolution attempts to address both sides of Burlington’s challenge. It calls for:

* Safe, clean, and accessible public spaces.

* Stronger responses to drug trafficking, theft, threats, vandalism, and other harmful conduct.

* Expanded emergency shelter or a regulated alternative when existing shelter is unavailable.

* Outreach and connections to treatment, recovery, housing, and other services.

* More visible public safety resources and positive activity in parks and downtown.

* Greater responsibility from the State and surrounding communities.

* Clear goals and public reporting so residents can see what is working.

Important work is already underway across City government, public safety agencies, the courts, service providers, and community organizations. The committee process should build on that work while establishing clearer direction, stronger coordination, and greater accountability.

The committee process should also ensure that the final resolution is humane, evidence-based, and realistic to implement. That means:

* Making clear that transportation assistance is voluntary and connected to an available service,

* Focusing enforcement on conduct and carrying it out with due process, and

* Offering meaningful outreach and pathways toward stability to people affected by encampment removals

The resolution is not perfect or final. Its overall direction deserves support, and the committee process is an opportunity to make it stronger.

Use our quick template and ask your city councilors to move Burlington Forward! [https://secure.everyaction.com/eYewyVQSfke__SXPEdWnBA2]

SEND A MESSAGE [https://secure.everyaction.com/eYewyVQSfke__SXPEdWnBA2]

Thanks for doing your part,

Sam