Cops call him a drain on resources, and prosecutors are concerned about his unpredictable behavior. Jennifer Costa has more on the homeless man at the center of a huge police presence in a residential part of Burlington.

This was the scene in a Burlington neighborhood Monday night. More than a dozen cops -- some with weapons drawn -- taking aim at 41-year old Jason Breault. He's homeless and well known to police.

"Generally he is armed with a knife. We do have to take some precautions when approaching him," said Burlington Dep. Chief Shawn Burke.

Police were called to Cayuga Court after Breault allegedly threatened strangers -- including kids. He was in the New North End neighborhood to repay a debt when he randomly started shouting at people sitting on a nearby porch that he perceived as nosy. The 911 caller said Breault showed a knife and threatened to "take out" the family.

"It's kind of a different spot for Breault to be in our experience. We deal with him on nearly a daily basis in the downtown in these generally loud disturbances that he causes," Dep. Chief Burke said.

This marks his second arrest at gunpoint in 48 hours. Channel 3 dug into his background and discovered the homeless man has 94 involvements with police since 2013 -- 19 misdemeanor convictions, and six assault convictions, one involving a weapon.

"He's been an extreme drain on our resources as of late," Dep. Chief Burke said.

Reporter Jennifer Costa: Is he dangerous?

Dep. Chief Shawn Burke: I would say he does have the propensity to be dangerous.

By video arraignment Tuesday Breault pleaded not guilty to simple assault and disorderly conduct.

"I think that there is a danger that Mr. Breault potentially poses to himself and others," said Chittenden County Deputy State's Attorney

Andrew McFarlin.

Monday a mental health screener deemed him safe to remain in the community. But after the latest incident the state renewed its request for an inpatient evaluation. Prosecutors lost that argument in court, as well as their request for bail.

"A lot of people think that jail isn't the place for him, and I agree with that, but when given our options it may be the safest place for him as well and our community," said Chittenden County State's Attorney Sarah George. She says jail time would at least get him the mental health he needs.

"Really it's probably the laws of odds of incidents like this happening everyday and the unpredictable nature of Mr. Breault. It's really unsettling what the potential future outcomes could be," Dep. Chief Burke said.

Police say it's only a matter of time before they get another call, and that they worry about his escalating violence.