Ghost of Midnight

“Police Caution Front Porch Forum Crime Fighters” from Seven Days

Seven Days just published Mike Ives’ article about the ongoing vandalism in Burlington and the way residents are stepping up to address it through Front Porch Forum.  Snippets…

On August 24, Jeff Kaufman rolled out of bed and noticed the letters “PH” had been scrawled into one of his window air-conditioning units. After photographing six similarly damaged units in his Old North End neighborhood, he posted a comment to the online newsletter, “Front Porch Forum.”…

Ten thousand Chittenden County residents subscribe to about 130 neighborhood Front Porch Forums… Wood-Lewis said that the forum has always been effective as a “neighborhood watch” tool. At a basic level, it encourages residents to take a stand against speeders, burglars and other low-level offenders. As enrollment climbs, however, subscribers are becoming “more empowered and aggressive about being involved and finding out what’s going on,” he said.

More information here and here.