An understaffed Vermont police department is turning to private security to help with patrols.
The town of Brattleboro has begun a pilot program that will use unarmed security guards for the summer months, WCAX-TV reports. The guards will be assigned to patrol the town's transportation and municipal office complex after a series of break-ins and other complaints.
“Here we are in a small town. There just aren’t as many people around all the time, so we are helping that these security services could extend that sense of community and sense of presence,” said Town Manager John Potter.
Although it is only a pilot program, the town will be gauging public input to see how effective it is.
“It won’t completely fix everything, but I think it will have an impact," said Potter. "The more there is a personal presence and physical presence and eyes and ears and boots on the ground, the better it will be for all of us."
