“I don’t walk at night”

Residents and business owners in Burlington, Vermont, spoke to Fox News Digital this week about the challenges their city faces with homelessness and drug use on the city’s streets. city, and some say they are concerned for their physical safety.

Fox News caught up with locals on Church Street, a prominent area of ​​Burlington with upscale shops and restaurants. They admitted that in recent years, the idyllic downtown area of ​​Lake Champlain has become an area where a significant number of homeless people congregate.

Among them are people addicted to hard drugs like fentanyl, families who have been adversely affected by the economy, as well as those who have turned to crime to support their lives on the streets. Several residents told Fox News they were concerned about the situation for public safety.

“It’s really good during the day, but at night, as people have said, it’s really dangerous,” said a young local resident named Lucas.

Burlington, where Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., served as mayor from 1981 to 1989, is Vermont’s most populous city despite having about 44,000 residents. It has seen a significant increase in its homeless population in recent years.

According to advocacy groups, there are more than 350 homeless people living on the city’s streets, a record number.

As local leaders told Fox News, many of these unhoused individuals have been ravaged by addiction, fueled by drugs like fentanyl and xylazine, also known as “tranq.”

Vermont itself has seen a 500% increase in drug overdose deaths in the last ten years. Local outlets have reported that first responders have been overwhelmed by the number of overdoses in the city.

Despite the compassion local residents and business owners say they feel for the homeless, especially those suffering from mental illness and drug addictions, many admitted they are concerned about the effects on the local economy, tourism and well-being of the residents

“I don’t walk at night,” an elderly woman named Nancy told Fox News Digital. When asked why, he replied, “Because it’s dangerous.”

“People get beaten up at night,” he said, adding that he is “very lucky” not to have been the victim of an assault. She recalled how a neighbor of hers went out to smoke one night and “was beaten very badly”. The culprits also tried to destroy a wheelchair that the individual was using to get around.

“No one goes out” after dark, he insisted.

A local business named Patricia recognized that “community safety” should be as much a concern of city government as the well-being of the homeless and addicted population.

“There seems to be a lot of focus in this city and on the part of the government to help people who are addicted,” he said, adding, “There seems to be a lack of respect for people who are in business, you know , who are trying to have a shop.” He claimed that some businesses have left because of the drug abuse and crime that occurred right outside their doors.

Tom, who works in the city, said there is a problem with homelessness and drug addiction, but he insisted on not blaming the homeless community.

“Obviously, there’s a big problem here with the homeless issue. You know, there’s no blame, it’s just kind of the nature of the housing market and the COVID epidemic, and the whole what’s in between,” he said. “We just need more housing in Vermont and specifically here in Burlington, that’s a problem.”

He said there appeared to be a significant decrease in the police presence in the city centre, stating: “When I lived here about five or six years ago, there were a lot more police around.”

The city is currently working to hire more officers and return money to law enforcement after a portion of the department’s budget was cut. About 30% of the city’s strength was also reduced by attrition.

When asked if he had seen evidence of drug use on the streets of the city, he replied: “There are a lot of needles on the ground everywhere.”

He insisted he feels safe walking around the city and is “not actively afraid for my life”, but admitted he tries to “be aware of my surroundings”.

Others told us they were less concerned about public safety, while acknowledging the issue of homelessness.

Zyn, another young Burlington resident, said the problems in the city are exaggerated. “Personally, I think everyone says Burlington is a bad place or a dangerous place, but I disagree. I think if you are, don’t be stupid. Just don’t go out tickling the homeless.”

August, a young local resident, said: “Sometimes the nightlife is not the best, but overall, it’s a good city with good people.”

“I think there are definitely some homelessness and mental health issues,” he continued, “but I think with a little more planning, we can solve those problems.” He added that he feels safe in Burlington.

When asked if he feels safe downtown, Deacon, another young resident, replied, “During the day I do. But at night, like August said, there are drug abuse issues that have not been lightly policed.”

He added that he has found “a few needles” and “saw people having a pretty good time” on the streets of the city.

City leaders say they are actively engaging with the local community and government to provide better access to mental health facilities, public housing, shelters and drug treatment programs, among other solutions.

Asked for comment on the state of the city that launched his political career, Sen. Sanders’ team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.