04/24/2026
There was a recent comparison regarding the gates up at the old bridges to the 'Cold War' boarder crossings.
We've assigned our smallest (and arguably most vigilant) officer to keep an eye on the closed bridges. Her specialties include snack detection, morale boosting, and reminding everyone that sometimes things aren't quite as dramatic as they sound.
That said, we do want to take a moment to respectfully address a recent comparison that's been circulating.
References to "Cold War border crossings" — particularly the Berlin Wall — carry real historical weight. That period was marked by families being separated, heavily armed checkpoints, restricted movement, and, in many cases, people risking — and sometimes losing — their lives attempting to cross. It was a time defined by fear, control, and very real human consequences.
What we have here in Hinsdale and Brattleboro is something very different.
The Anna Hunt Marsh and Charles Dana bridges are currently closed for safety reasons due to structural concerns, narcotic use, illegal dumping and past vandalism. They remain under state control, with future plans for rehabilitation. There are no checkpoints, no restrictions on movement between communities, and no barriers preventing travel between towns.
In fact, crossing between Brattleboro and Hinsdale is simple and fully accessible via the new bridge just down river a bit, which was built specifically to maintain safe and reliable travel.
We understand the desire to make a strong visual point — but it's equally important that we keep comparisons grounded in reality, especially when they involve moments in history that carried such profound human impact.
Our focus remains where it should be:
✔️ Public safety
✔️ Responsible infrastructure management
✔️ Keeping both communities connected in practical, realistic ways
And, of course...
🐾 Occasional assistance from Officer Olive.
Thank you to everyone working together to keep these conversations thoughtful, respectful, and productive.
