BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Graffiti continues to be a plague in Burlington despite efforts to clean it up. Now, the City Council is considering an ordinance that could step up law enforcement and address vandalism involving hate speech.

“It’s a strategy and a tool that our city attorney’s office researched and put forward to help respond to the chronic transphobic statements that they’ve put up in public spaces, on billboards or whatnot, to really intimidate people,” said the Burlington Mayor Emma. Mulvaney-Stanak.

An ordinance brought before the council Tuesday would allow people who feel public hate speech has been uttered against them to sue the person responsible. City Council Speaker Ben Traverse, D-District 5, says that while he denounces hate speech, he has First Amendment concerns about how the current proposal is worded. “I’ll support a version of this ordinance that steps up our law enforcement efforts more generally, but I can’t support something that’s going to create a ton of lawsuits for the city around these kinds of First Amendment issues,” said. .

The ordinance would also establish a more comprehensive graffiti public reporting system. Traverse also hopes to learn what efforts the mayor’s team has made to address graffiti in the city.

On Tuesday, councilors will also get their first look at what a massive bond proposal for water infrastructure would look like.

Councilors will also discuss possible charter changes on Town Meeting day to address redistricting, bond votes requiring voter approval and the timeline related to lease termination for landlords and tenants.

Copyright 2024WCAX. All rights reserved.