Pride Center Of Vermont Vandalized In Possible Hate Crime: Police

BURLINGTON, VT — Burlington police are investigating what could be a possible hate crime at the Pride Center of Vermont, a community center for the state's LGBTQ+ population.

Early Tuesday morning, police received a call that the front door of the Pride Center, at 255 S. Champlain St., had been smashed.

Police went to the center and reviewed security footage, which captured a person approaching the building around midnight before throwing two objects through the front door and leaving, authorities said.

The vandalism could be investigated as a possible hate crime, acting Chief of Police John Murad said in a release. If the act is elevated to a hate crime, the perpetrator can be given additional penalties at sentencing.

"We are investigating this vandalism with an eye toward the very real possibility that it was
motivated by malice related to the Pride Center and the important parts of the community the Center serves,” Murad said. "Our commitment to all parts of our community, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Vermonters is honest and sincere."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Burlington Police Department at 802-658-2704.