ST. ALBANS, Vt. (WCAX) – The city of St. Albans is taking more measures to address public safety for residents and visitors.
The city had a public safety forum in June, with three hundred people addressing their concern for the recent crime uptick.
People and business owners have reported seeing more theft – car – and home break-ins – driven by people suffering from addiction.
The city will now be hiring two full time drug detectives, implementing more public safety initiatives, connecting with more recovery services to expand reach and working with local landlords to address drug addiction in the city.
But officials are hoping to work more closely with state partners to make sure repeat offenders are held accountable.
“States Attorney’s office, and those that are on the prosecutory side of things to make sure that we are really grabbing all the low level offenses that add up. All of that is about sending that message that this isn’t okay. It’s not okay to be an addict,” Dominic Cloud, St. Albans City Manager said.
The city is currently in the middle of hiring that second full time drug detective.