Residents and business owners in Burlington, Vermont, are expressing growing concerns about the city’s increasing homelessness and drug use, particularly in prominent areas like Church Street.
They report feeling unsafe, especially at night, due to the rise in people struggling with addiction, such as fentanyl, and the presence of individuals turning to crime, according to a Fox News Digital report.
Despite compassion for those experiencing homelessness and those battling addiction, locals worry about the impact on public safety, the economy, and tourism.
Burlington, Vermont’s largest city, has seen a sharp rise in its homeless population, now numbering over 350 people, many affected by addiction to drugs like fentanyl and xylazine. The state has also experienced a 500% increase in drug overdose deaths over the past decade, straining local first responders.
Residents like Nancy, whose last name was withheld for her safety, avoid walking at night due to fears of assault, sharing stories of neighbors being attacked, further highlighting safety concerns.
“Nobody goes out” after dark, Nancy told Fox News.
Local business owners argue that while the city focuses on helping the addicted population, it has neglected community safety and the needs of businesses.
Several shops have closed due to crime and drug abuse occurring nearby, causing frustration among those trying to maintain their livelihoods in the affected areas.
Mark Nunneley, a senior managing director at the Dallas-based Ashford Hospitality Trust, echoed similar concerns for the City of Dallas, sharing with senators recently that intrusive homeless “encampments” repeatedly pop up around Dallas City Hall, causing safety issues and impacting local businesses.
“The City of Dallas has clearly not solved this problem,” Nunneley said, reported The Dallas Express.
Despite polls showing that Dallas residents favor a comprehensive homeless services model similar to the one used by the nonprofit Haven for Hope in San Antonio, City officials have not yet tried this approach.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Haven for Hope offers various social services, such as drug counseling, job training, and transitional housing, all in one location. The “one-stop-shop” model has been recognized for reducing unsheltered homelessness in San Antonio’s downtown area by 77%.
