Governor Scott's Plan Brings Progress to Burlington

Collaborative efforts between state and local leaders have helped address public safety and social service issues in Vermont's largest city.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Vermont Governor Phil Scott's comprehensive action plan for Burlington, launched over 100 days ago, has helped restore confidence in the city's downtown area. Increased state police presence, expanded social services, and community-led initiatives have contributed to a decline in petty crime, improved public safety, and a cautious feeling of hope that Burlington has turned a corner.

Why it matters

Burlington, Vermont's largest city, has faced challenges with public safety, homelessness, mental health, and addiction in recent years. Governor Scott's collaborative approach to addressing these issues, working closely with the city's mayor and police chief, has demonstrated the potential for effective state-local partnerships to drive meaningful change in communities.

The details

Governor Scott's plan included deploying state troopers to the Church Street Marketplace, which had an immediate impact on reducing shoplifting and making employees and customers feel safer. At the same time, local service providers expanded shelter capacity, mental health and addiction counseling, and long-term treatment programs. Community-led initiatives, such as a mural project and weekly clean-ups, have also contributed to a sense of progress.

  • Governor Scott launched his action plan for Burlington over 100 days ago.
  • The state troopers' presence on Church Street had an immediate impact in the fall of 2025.
  • The Waystation on Pearl Street and expanded shelter on Shelburne Road opened in late 2025.
  • Spectrum Youth & Family Services expanded its mental health and addiction counseling in early 2026.
  • The mural project on the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies' building was completed in the fall of 2025.

The players

Governor Phil Scott

The Republican governor of Vermont who developed a comprehensive action plan for addressing challenges in Burlington.

Emma Mulvaney-Stanek

The Progressive mayor of Burlington who collaborated with Governor Scott on the action plan.

Shawn Burke

The chief of police in Burlington who worked with state and local leaders on the action plan.

John George-Wheeler

A partner at Ski Rack and Patagonia Burlington who says the state troopers' presence gave business owners and their employees confidence.

Mark Redmond

The executive director of Spectrum Youth & Family Services, which expanded mental health and addiction counseling.

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What they’re saying

“In a country where we can't agree on what to eat for breakfast, we had a Republican governor, a Progressive mayor, and the city's Chief of Police agree on a plan of action.”

— Al Gobeille, Owner of Burlington Bay and former Vermont Secretary of Health and Human Services

“The state troopers' presence gave business owners confidence, which they then instilled in their staff, and it gave customers confidence that they could safely return to downtown. It trickled all the way throughout the community.”

— John George-Wheeler, Partner at Ski Rack and Patagonia Burlington

“This is a major step in the right direction. It won't solve everything, but in combination with those other efforts, I believe the quality of life in our city will improve. Good things are happening.”

— Mark Redmond, Executive Director of Spectrum Youth & Family Services

What’s next

The governor's plan was a critical first step, and now it's time to build on the progress by sustaining the state police presence, expanding social services, and replicating the action plan in other parts of Vermont facing similar challenges.

The takeaway

Governor Scott's collaborative approach to addressing Burlington's public safety and social service issues, working closely with local leaders, demonstrates the potential for effective state-local partnerships to drive meaningful change in communities.