An Albury business owner is worried it will take someone being assaulted before something is done about early morning safety in the centre of town.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Self Pilates and Wellness owner Sally Laundess and her clients have been repeatedly harassed and made to feel unsafe outside the Kiewa Street studio by groups of people before and after early morning fitness classes.
The pilates instructor has called Albury police on multiple occasions including when a man was banging on the studio windows while a class was in session.
"I have just had enough," Miss Laundess said.
"And I know police are stretched pretty thin at the moment with the border closure and everything else going on.
"But my main concern is that it will take someone being assaulted before anything is done.
"Why should it have to come to that?
"And honestly that is a very real fear for not just myself, but my clients and other people around the CBD."
Miss Laundess said she has had to cancel some 5am classes because of the safety concerns.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"I am still having to wait at the door and unlock it when I see a client run from their car," she said.
"There are a few people which you come to know as usuals, who for whatever reason have fallen on hard times. But there are other groups of people who are out of their minds on drugs or alcohol who loiter around the CBD and harass staff and clients.
"People are coming here for their wellness and for a purpose and for them to have anxiety to even get out of their car just isn't good enough. You should be able to feel safe in the centre of your home town.
"Everyday I get to work early, which is normally Tuesdays and Thursdays, I have to drive around the block two or three times just to suss out where all these people are hiding and what my quickest way into the studio is.
"I used to walk to work but that just isn't safe anymore."
Miss Laundess said she hoped there could be more police patrols in central Albury between 4am and 6am each day.
"I am really passionate about community safety and preventative policing," she said.
"But at the moment I have clients who are terrified to come to class in the early morning because of these certain people.
"You should never be made to feel unsafe while out looking after your health and wellbeing."
Since posting on social media over the past few weeks, Miss Laundess said more people who work in the centre of town have contacted her with similar concerns.
"It is a real safety issue," she said."