Saranda faces rising crime and allegations of police corruption

The coastal city of Saranda is experiencing a significant rise in crime and violence, leading residents to compare the current atmosphere to Palermo in the 1980s. Reports indicate an increase in stabbings, shootings, and violent confrontations, particularly during nighttime activities.

Local residents express deep concern over the lack of safety, with many parents planning to send their children to study in Greece rather than remaining in Albania to avoid the escalating violence. The degradation of security is attributed to long-term mismanagement and alleged corruption within the police force and state institutions, which critics claim has allowed criminal elements to flourish.