'Not In Our Town' Springfield community forum on recent drug sweep

Green and white “Not In Our Town” bracelets were handed out at the door as community members entered the Riverside Middle School auditorium last week. A second forum is scheduled for July 10.

“Not In Our Town” Springfield Community Forum on Recent Drug Sweep Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/02/2013 - 1:39pm By GLORIA DUFIELD The Shopper SPRINGFIELD, VT -Green and white “Not In Our Town” bracelets were handed out at the door as community members entered the Riverside Middle School auditorium last Wednesday evening for a forum to address the recent drug sweep. Those in attendance were asked to see the “Not in Our Town” bracelets as both an assertion and an affirmation by Trevor Hanbridge. The event was organized by an ad-hoc group of community members like Hanbridge, the Springfield Restorative Justice Center, Prevention Coalition, school district, police department and Turning Point Recovery Center. Wendi Germain of the Springfield Restorative Justice Center provided a brief introduction to those gathered to address the audience including, Lt. Matthew Birmingham, Commander of the Vermont Drug Task Force, Lt. Timothy Oliver, Rockingham Station Commander, Springfield Police Chief Douglas Johnston and Capt. Dan Troidl of the Vermont State Police. Lt. Birmingham gave an overview of the drug sweep the previous week and spoke to the many months that lead to “Operation Precision Valley” and the arrest of 33 individuals. He wanted to highlight that the cocaine and heroine found in Vermont is being produced out of state in source cities in states like New Jersey and the importance of breaking down the trafficking networks and reducing drug demand. In the unforeseen absence of Police Chief James Baker of Rutland, the lieutenant also spoke to Rutland’s similar experiences and a grant that would bring all that town’s community and civic groups together to address the issue. Following Birmingham, Lt. Oliver spoke of his commitment to solving the drug problem and Capt Troidl applauded the turn out for the forum. As a long time member of the community, Chief Douglas Johnston asked the audience to assist in returning pride and spirit back to Springfield. Members of the audience then asked questions and offered suggestions. Questions were raised on returning programs to the school system like a drug officer, a SAP (Student Assistance Professional) counselor and DITEP (Drug Impairment Training for Educational Professionals) Training. Concerns were expressed regarding the perceived slowness of the court process and making sure that the community was supporting families as well as the individuals by providing programming and creating awareness of methadone clinics in the area. Additional suggestions were made for printed literature on what to look for and who to contact, a desire for crime watches throughout the town and law enforcement check points to keep drugs from coming into Vermont. As the event was closing, more than half of the audience chose to walk through downtown to raise additional awareness. A second forum is scheduled for July 10 with a location to be determined. As requested, organizers will look to have representatives at this event from the Department of Child and Family, Health Care and Rehabilitation Services, the State Attorneys office, the Vermont Court system and Rutland Police Chief Baker on hand to answer questions. Kelley Sales & Service has already stepped up to the plate and donated funding for Neighborhood Watch signs and materials. For more information on these forums or how you can help, contact Wendi Germain, Director of the Springfield Restorative Justice Center at Springfieldrjc@vermontel.net or 802-885-8707 - See more at: http://www.vermontjournal.com/content/“not-our-town”-springfield-community-forum-recent-drug-sweep#sthash.XhrZoWPx.dpuf