The Springfield police chief says he needs at least two more officers to help patrol the southern Vermont community that has seen a spike in crime in recent years.
Chief Douglas Johnston says the town is seeing an influx of out-of-state drug dealers and more and more serious crimes. He says heroin is currently the illegal drug of choice in the region.
The Rutland Herald reports that Johnston has asked for extra officers every year in recent years, but the weak economy has made that impossible. He says he’s hoping the Select Board will agree to his request this year.
The Springfield police department currently has 16 officers.