Public Safety
Town of Brookfield
Public Safety Advisory Committee
APRIL 2022 PUBLIC SAFETY TIPS
Despite the mud we have been driving and tromping around in for what seems like a long time, the weather and the roads are definitely improving. That will bring a lot of us out onto the back roads, driving, walking, biking, horseback riding, etc. This means we all need to be more considerate of each other in the way that we travel those roads. Many of us travel the roads in at least two different modes such as walking and driving. We need to be proactive by thinking about what we will do if something or someone is around the corner or over the brow of the hill and drive, walk, bike or horseback ride accordingly. It should not be about who has the right of way but how can I avoid an accident or incident. Sounds easy? It is often not easy. It means leaving a bit early to have time enough to go slow when warranted. It means waiting for pedestrians, bicycles, horses, etc. to get to a safe place which may take time. It means putting yourself in the other person’s place and being considerate even when you think they are not.
One bad habit many of us have gotten into recently is driving, walking, biking, horseback riding, etc. in the best part of the backroad which may not be on our side of the road. We are avoiding pot holes, deep ruts, washboards, etc. which may be necessary in mud season on some roads, sometimes but it puts us in the wrong if we meet someone. We need to go fast enough to get through the problem but slow enough to avoid oncoming traffic, whatever it may be. Again, not always easy. Be careful!
Hungry bears have emerged from their winter sleep and are looking for food. Your bird feeders, bee hives, chickens or livestock, could be on the menu. Remove the temptations and keep bears wild and out of neighborhoods!
In the early part of the season, bears will often ignore naturally available foods for an easy meal at a backyard bird feeder. The laws say to remove those feeders in the spring. Also, now that we’re not supposed to put garbage in the trash, it’s a good idea to place compost bins a safe distance from your home or walkways. Electric fencing may protect your beehives or fenced in animals.
Taking these precautions will help prevent the unnatural feelings of bears and other kinds of neighborhood wildlife. Black bear numbers are increasing, so, sightings of these animals are increasing too!
Outdoor sports such as fishing, hunting, hiking, boating, etc. are opening up. Please tell family members and friends where you are going, when you think you will be back and then tell them when you get back. It could save your life and will save anxiety on the part of friends and family. Think ahead and be safe!
BROOKFIELD PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Brookfield Public Safety Advisory Committee: Dan Mason, Michael Rutkovsky, Mike Stoddard, Stuart Edson and Lew Stowell.
For more information about the the Public Safety Advisory Committee, or to share non-emergency concerns, please email us at publicsafety@brookfieldvt.org
Public Safety Community Education Event
2016 Public Safety Education Event Notes
Emergency and Other Important Numbers
POLICE 911
FIRE 911
AMBULANCE 911
POISON 1-802-658-3456
For NON-EMERGENCY:
TOWN CLERK 276-3352
TOWN CONSTABLE (for animal control) Dan Mason
TOWN GARAGE 276-3090
GAME WARDEN
State Police Dispatch 234-9933
Direct 728-9215
White River Valley Ambulance 802-234-6800
Northfield Ambulance 485-8550
Orange County Sheriff 685-4875
Vermont State Police 234-9933
Williamstown Rescue Unit 476-4111
Brookfield Elementary School 276-3153
Randolph Union High School 728-3397
Randolph Technical Career Center 728-9595