Community push seeks to make downtown Burlington more walkable and welcoming
A local neighbourhood group is asking Burlington city officials to reinstate regular police foot patrols along the downtown commercial corridor, arguing that visible, community-based policing would help revive foot traffic and improve the sense of safety that draws shoppers, diners and workers to the area.
The petition drive, launched by the New London Alliance (NLA) at the end of July, has gathered "a few hundred" signatures so far, according to NLA member Donnamarie Mazzola. The group is focusing its attention on a roughly quarter-mile stretch of High Street — bordered by a riverfront park to the north and Broad Street to the south — which it describes as the historic heart of Burlington's commercial district.
That stretch still houses traditional downtown businesses such as law offices and insurance firms, but in recent years it has also attracted newer ventures, including taprooms and art studios. Mixed in with those businesses, however, are a noticeable number of closed or vacant storefronts. Some buildings are boarded up while others display sun-faded window displays.
The NLA says those empty spaces contribute to a feeling that the downtown is less welcoming for pedestrians, particularly after dark. It is not accusing the city of an increase in crime, Mazzola says, but is instead focusing on the atmosphere that empty storefronts and absentee landlords create for residents and visitors.
"We’re asking the city to consider restoring regular police foot patrols and community policing downtown,"
Mazzola told local media that having officers walking the corridor, engaging directly with residents, businesses and visitors, could help strengthen both public safety and police-community relations. The presence of foot patrols, she said, would — in itself — make people feel more comfortable coming downtown, especially in the evenings.
Business owners and public perception
Local business owners contacted about the proposal largely agreed that a visible policing presence could help boost visitation. For merchants operating in a mixed-use downtown with some vacant units, the difference between a bustling main street and a quiet one can hinge on how safe and welcoming people feel while walking between shops and restaurants.
The NLA points to vacant and blighted properties as an added strain on downtown vitality. Members say absentee landlords who leave buildings shuttered or poorly maintained make it harder for the corridor to achieve the kind of continuous street life that attracts both local customers and visitors.
- Area: roughly a quarter-mile stretch of High Street, between a riverfront park and Broad Street.
- Petition status: circulated since late July; has collected "a few hundred" signatures.
- Main ask: restore regular police foot patrols and community policing downtown.
How the measure would work — and what it aims to change
Community policing deployed on foot emphasises officers’ visibility and direct interactions with the public, rather than relying solely on vehicle patrols or rapid-response calls. The NLA says that officers engaged in routine foot beats would not only be more approachable to residents and business owners but also better placed to identify maintenance and safety issues that deter pedestrian activity.
At stake for the neighbourhood are both the day-to-day experiences of people who live and work downtown and the larger economic health of the corridor. A more active street can lower the threshold for new businesses to open and for residents to choose to spend evenings in the area.
| Issue | NLA position |
|---|---|
| Vacant storefronts | Contribute to a sense of unwelcomeness; discourage foot traffic |
| Police presence | Foot patrols would increase comfort and foster relationships |
| Community engagement | Direct interaction with officers viewed as beneficial |
City council and police leadership will have to weigh the petition against competing demands for patrol resources across Burlington. Policymakers consider matters such as staffing, shifts, and coverage for other parts of the city when deciding whether to dedicate officers to regular walking beats downtown.
For residents who signed the petition, the request is straightforward: make downtown a place people feel comfortable visiting at all hours, support local businesses and foster positive ties between officers and the community. Whether that will translate into a renewed foot-beat program will depend on further discussions between the NLA, business owners and municipal decision-makers.
