My wife and I moved from New York City to Burlington, Vermont, approximately 11 years ago for her medical residency. We’re raising two kids in a beautiful city where you could once leave your doors unlocked.

But in June 2020, during the defund-the-police movement and while we were experiencing an influx of new people, the City Council cut the police cap by 30%, from 105 officers to 74, and officers left in droves. Progressive policy has gone too far: above-average shoplifting, many closed businesses, including Nectar’s, the legendary music venue where Phish got its start, buckling healthcare, rampant homelessness, limited housing, and economic opportunity. Here, “compassion” now means looking away from crime, dysfunction and, in my case, antisemitism.