St. Albans, Vermont – The recent increase in crime throughout St. Albans leaves residents concerned about the city’s state. Many have expressed their concerns about the issue on Facebook in the “St. Albans VT Neighborhood Watch” group, providing evidence of the ongoing crimes throughout the city.

Anyone living in St. Albans currently recognizes the increase in crime causing residents to feel unsafe. According to the St. Albans Messenger article: “City Council talks downtown crime; St. Albans gets police update” (Josh Ellerbrock), “Suspicious behavior calls have doubled. Loitering calls have risen by 10 times”. The St. Albans police department encourages residents to turn in photos and videos of crime to help solve it and prevent reoffenders.

St. Albans resident of 4 years, Sarah Perron, said “I get nervous just sitting in my car waiting to pick up my daughter from work on main street after dark”. She has had no bad experiences with criminal activity, yet owns security cameras to ensure she feels safe inside her home. “I see a lot of videos that people post on social media of people trying to break into people’s cars”, Perron said, referring to the St. Albans VT Neighborhood Watch Facebook group. She has not experienced an attempt to break into her car, but has personally known other St. Albans residents who have faced attempted break-ins to their vehicles.

In the Facebook group, St. Albans VT Neighborhood Watch, residents have found a sense of community through the current issues St. Albans faces toward crime. Residents can connect with others and support each other, whether it is posting about found stolen items or neighborhood cleanups. Residents of St. Albans are hopeful for change and look forward to having a safe and clean city once more.