BRATTLEBORO -- The homicide rate in Vermont hit its lowest point in two decades after only four documented cases in 2009.
While there are still two additional homicides cases currently under investigation, the figure is down significantly from the 17 such crimes in 2008.
Max Schlueter, director of the Vermont Crime Information Center, said the rate in Vermont tends to consist of peaks and valleys, often committed by people who know the victim in some way.
“In Vermont, really, the ups and downs are more related to the nature of the peoples’ relationships than to any type of trends,” he said. “I think if you look at the homicides over the years, they do seem to be more of a roller coaster than a linear increase or decrease.”
Schlueter works for the Waterbury-based information center, established in 1970 to serve as the state’s repository for a number of criminal record systems.
The state’s homicide figures have altered greatly from year to year, making it difficult for any long-term analysis of the statistics.
“For example, in 2002 and 2005, we had eight, that was the closest to [2009],” said Schlueter. Since the figures are inching up and down annually, that indicates they are more incidental than belonging to any kind of pattern, he added.
Unlike major metropolitan areas where homicides are oftentimes related to gang or drug-related activity and can significantly change with modifications in police enforcement, that’s not the case in Vermont, said Schlueter.
Nevertheless, Vermont (already one of the safest states in the country) had its lowest rate since 1994, when there were only five such cases.
“It’s been a little bit lower than the previous year,” said Vermont State Police Lt. Kraig LaPorte.
Statistically, the number is down from 2008, but state police in the area have kept busy with a high percentage of serious vehicle accidents, resulting in several deaths, he said. “People don’t think of those cases when you think of homicides, but they are death investigations.”
Homicides, LaPorte continued, always go far beyond a simple investigation and usually are taxing on the state police and the judicial system. “It’s always a drain on resources. It’s difficult to plan and forecast these crimes.”
While the state only unofficially tallied four murders last year, one of the crimes happened locally in downtown Brattleboro.
“Even four is too many for a state our size,” said Brattleboro Police Chief Eugene Wrinn. It is unfortunate that one happened in Brattleboro, but police have looked into preventive measures to attempt to cut down on such problems early, he added.
The 41-year-old Andrew Sheets was charged with second degree murder for allegedly stabbing David T. Snow, 25, during a June 15 altercation on Elliot Street. Snow attempted to break up a fight between his brother and Sheets in front of the Brattleboro Transportation Center and was stabbed in the throat during the scuffle.
Sheets pleaded not guilty in Windham District Court and was held without bail because of the severity of the crime back in June.
It remains the only homicide in Windham County for last year, and the first such case in Brattleboro since August 2007, said the chief.
The incident also was one of three knife-related homicides in the state, with the fourth used with another blunt tool, a hammer, said Schlueter. None of the homicides were related to firearms, he added.
Since the Elliot Street stabbing, police have stepped up enforcement in the downtown area, hoping the increased patrols will continue to assist keeping the public safe.
“People are less apt to do bad things when there are officers nearby,” said Wrinn.
Source: Brattleboro Reformer – Chris Garofolo can be reached at cgarofolo@reformer.com or 802-254-2311 ext. 275.
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