Is Brattleboro Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Brattleboro, Vermont, shares the Connecticut River with bordering New Hampshire, with Massachusetts just a few miles down the road.

Its location on Interstate 91 makes it one of the first cities that many of the 2.5 million annual Vermont visitors see.

The city offers a unique scenic retreat as the West River joins the Connecticut River right in the heart of downtown.

The surrounding hills and mountains, part of the Green Mountain range, offer stunning vistas and hiking opportunities.

Across the water, New Hampshire’s Mount Wantastiquet stands 1,335 feet high.

The contrast between the low river valley and the mountain range means the town is hillier than you might expect.

What is now Brattleboro started as a fort in 1723 before transitioning to a trading post between settlers and the Indigenous people.

In what is a rinse-and-repeat format for many river cities in New England, the waterway provided power for mills, attracting the railroad to add a stop.

Today’s Brattleboro is a mix of old and new, with narrow streets, towering triple-decker buildings lining the idyllic Main Street and mountains, forests, and wetlands spreading out in various directions outside the town limits.

Whether you’re just passing through and need to stop for a meal, or you’re planning to spend a few days exploring Brattleboro, there’s something for everyone to check out.

Warnings & Dangers in Brattleboro

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk in Brattleboro, but it is legitimately dealing with an unprecedented increase in crime. The only reason the risk isn't higher is that the town has been historically, if not atypically, safe.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

The MOOver! is a free public transit system throughout southern Vermont, with routes in Brattleboro. Taxis and rideshare are available, but a rental car offers more flexibility when exploring the tri-state area.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

About four pickpockets or purse snatching happen each year, looking back at five years of crime data. The risk is low, but the overall theft rates should prompt you to act as if it were a medium risk.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Brattleboro faces a medium risk of natural disasters, primarily from floods, due to its location near the Connecticut River. The town's hilly terrain also poses some risk of landslides. Winter snow storms are common, but if you aren't used to heavy snowfalls or driving on snowy roads, that's going to cause some concerns for you, too.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Much like thefts, the robbery rate statistics show a low risk, but with some brazen criminal activity in Brattleboro, treat it as a medium risk and keep an eye on your surroundings, especially at night.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Brattleboro experiences a low terrorism risk. The town's small population and rural setting contribute to its safety. Law enforcement maintains vigilance, but incidents are rare. The bigger issue is the soaring crime rates across Brattleboro.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Check local law enforcement social media sites for the latest scams. The local Better Business Bureau office and the state Attorney General’s office will have common scam tactics and protection advice. Most scams in recent years primarily target locals.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

For women travelers, Brattleboro presents a low-risk environment. The town is generally safe for those using basic travel precautions.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The U.S. has strict standards for tap water per the Safe Water Drinking Act. Communities are required to provide a Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) once a year by July 1. The 2023 report for Brattleboro shows full compliance, no violations, and a plan to start upgrading the water treatment sites in 2024.

Safest Places to Visit in Brattleboro

Both the Brattleboro Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance have websites with a list of activities, events, hotels, and restaurants.

Downtown Brattleboro is known for its eclectic mix of independent boutiques, bookstores, and art galleries.

Take a stroll down Main Street to discover local crafts, vintage finds, and unique gifts.

While some downtown can be blink-and-you-miss-it-small, Brattleboro’s core feels much more urban.

The Latchis Theatre is a beautifully restored Art Deco landmark in the heart of downtown.

It hosts a variety of cultural events, including independent and foreign films, live performances, and community gatherings.

The lush and fertile valley around Brattleboro makes for great farming, and you will want to check the hours for the local farmer’s market to pick up some locally-grown goodies.

The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center is a contemporary art museum located in the town’s historic Union Station.

It features rotating exhibits of contemporary art, sculpture, and multimedia installations by regional and nationally recognized artists.

The museum also offers educational programs and events for visitors of all ages.

Just across the river in New Hampshire, you have several trail options to summit Wantastiquet Mountain.

More information is available on the town of Chesterfield, New Hampshire’s website under the Wantastiquet Mountain State Forest listing.

A visit to Retreat Farm offers a blend of agricultural experiences and outdoor recreation, but it wasn’t designed as such.

The farm was originally established in 1837 as part of the Brattleboro Retreat, a mental health hospital.

Today, you can explore the historic farm buildings and interact with friendly farm animals.

Next, wander through the Children’s Farm and Forest, an interactive play area designed to connect kids with nature.

I purposely put this here between safe places to visit and places to avoid because you can decide which categories the trail to the Stone Tower is for you.

The tower was built by mentally ill patients as a way to help them “heal” in nature, but it became a place of tragedy where people took their lives.

Some say the area is haunted, and there’s an old cemetery nearby that you’ll find either cool or creepy.

If this trail isn’t for you, there are eight more miles of trails that (hopefully) aren’t haunted.

The Interpretative Trail is the most entertaining and kid-friendly of the bunch.

Places to Avoid in Brattleboro

The best advice in Brattleboro is pretty standard – visit during daytime hours and don’t wander too far off Main Street after dark.

Vermont turned several hotels into homeless or lower-income housing during and after the pandemic.

Once that amenity ceased, more homeless people were stuck on the streets.

Always a progressive state, Vermont leaders and those in Brattleboro wavered between pity for the homeless just trying to panhandle their way into a new place to live and concerns about aggressive panhandling causing safety issues.

Downtown Brattleboro has seen a surge in smash-and-grab burglaries and robberies.

In one instance, a woman was robbed at knifepoint while parking her car.

You don’t need to avoid the city, but again, daytime visits are the safest.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Brattleboro

So... How Safe Is Brattleboro Really?

Brattleboro is one of the most dangerous cities in Vermont, but that’s a lot like saying one puppy is the most dangerous in a litter of golden retriever puppies.

Even with the 116% increase in violent crime statewide since 2014, Vermont is still one of the safest states in the country.

As of 2022, the violent crime rate statewide was 40% below the national average.

In Brattleboro, the violent crime rate is 7% higher than the national average and 91% higher than the state average.

2022 saw the highest number of violent crimes (60) since at least 1985.

No other year even topped 50 violent crimes.

Less than 10% of those crimes were against strangers over the past five years and 44% happened in private homes.

Since 2020, burglaries have increased by 235%.

Theft rates are 258% higher than the national average, with 40% being related to car break-ins.

While crime is a big problem in Brattleboro, the bigger problem is that the police department is short-staffed and even basic tools like a security camera system in the hard-hit downtown area are lacking.

“Nothing has happened — not one thing has changed,” Dick DeGray, a former selectboard member, said in May 2023, a year after first expressing safety concerns.

“How disappointing is it when people in the community are asking for your help, and it doesn’t happen?”

A local business owner also brought her concerns to the board.

“We had never been broken into, and then all of a sudden, an explosion.

It’s expensive, it’s scary, it’s upsetting.

It just feels like it’s going to keep happening.”

Now, 98% of you won’t even blink at the crime rates in Brattleboro, since it’s about as normal as you’d find in any city nationwide.

However, another exponential increase in crime over the next few years could create genuine concern for anyone who visits.

However, to give you some context, one article about crime rates increasing in Brattleboro stated, “Leaving your possessions in a car, locked or unlocked has become inadvisable.”

That means, at one point, leaving your car unlocked wasn’t a big deal here.

It goes to show just how safe the town was before the crime surge.

I’m around 50 years old in America, and I’ve never lived in a place where it was safe to leave things in my car or leave the doors unlocked.

Until the crime rates are better under control, just know there’s a gritty element of crime, drugs, and guns happening in Vermont, and Brattleboro is getting more than its fair share.

Common sense and situational awareness go a long way.

How Does Brattleboro Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

All international visitors need either a visa defining the purpose of the trip (tourist, work, school, etc.) or a visa waiver. Start the process using the Visa Wizard module on the U.S. State Department website. You’ll quickly find out which one you need. Also, keep in mind that your passport must be valid for at least six months after our trip, or you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar (USD) is accepted in the United States. International airports usually have a currency exchange desk on site, while regional airports won’t. Your home bank offers the lowest fees. For those using credit cards, check to see if there’s a foreign transaction fee before you start racking up charges.

Weather

Brattleboro isn't the snowiest place in Vermont, but it still gets about double the national average. Winters are cold regardless, with lows below freezing from late October through early May. Summers get warm but not too hot, with highs in the mid-80s. Bring a jacket or hoodie even in summer, as the nighttime lows still drop into the 50s. You want bug spray and comfortable walking shoes.

Airports

The closest commercial airport is going to be anywhere from 80 to 150 miles by car. Options include Windsor Locks, CT; Boston, MA; Manchester, NH; and Burlington, VT.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance goes into effect as soon as you purchase it. Comprehensive insurance offers the best protection and peace of mind. Since you'll be driving a lot to get here, be sure you have roadside assistance and uninsured motorist coverage for your rental vehicle.

Brattleboro Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Vermont - Safety by City