A Closer Look at Safety in Downtown Albany
By Chloe Ciszak | November 10, 2026
Downtown Albany is a popular spot for University at Albany students looking to go out
with friends, visit restaurants or enjoy the nightlife. But for some students, safety is
something they think about before making plans, especially when traveling at night.
Princy Shahi, a UAlbany accounting major in the class of 2029, said she visits downtown
once a week to visit her friends. She said she generally feels safe when she is
downtown because she is usually with other people.
“I feel safe mostly because I'm mostly always with my friends,” Shahi said.
However, that does not mean she has never had concerns. Shahi said she has experienced
catcalling, has concerns about reported violence in the area. She also said safety sometimes affects how she gets downtown.
“Sometimes we’ll drive down instead of taking the bus,” Shahi said.
When asked about what could make her feel safer, Shahi suggested adding emergency
buttons at bus stops so people could call for help if they felt uncomfortable or threatened.
Another UAlbany student, junior Sofia Boccia, said downtown Albany has a poor
reputation for safety among students.
“Very poor, and not very safe,” Boccia said when asked how she would describe
downtown's reputation for safety among UAlbany students.
Boccia said she does not feel comfortable walking downtown at night, especially by
herself. She explained that being with her friends makes her feel safer because she knows
she would have people around if something happened.
Boccia also said safety issues have caused her to make a change in her plans. She
specifically mentioned a recent shooting that occurred in October. Although she has not personally witnessed an incident downtown, she identified areas she likes to avoid.
Albany police detective Anthony Balarian, who has served with the department for 14
years and works in the forensic investigation unit, shared his general perspective on
public safety downtown. His comments are not an official statement of the Albany Police
Department.
Balarian recommends going out with friends rather than walking alone, staying on well-lit and busy streets, keeping phones charged and making transportation arrangements
before heading out. He also suggested sharing their location with someone they trust and
being aware of their surroundings throughout the night.
Balarian emphasized that students should not ignore situations that make them feel
uncomfortable. If they feel unsafe, he suggested going into an open business and finding
a safe place. In an emergency, students should call 911.
For students visiting downtown Albany, taking a few safety precautions and having a
plan to get home can help make their time safer.
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