住民たちは

the residents

→ 住民
phrase Rare #42,221
the residents 住民 means “resident,” たち marks a group or plural, and は marks the topic: “as for the residents.”
JA: 住民たちは新しい公園の建設を喜んでいる。
EN: The residents are happy about the construction of the new park.

住民たちは騒音に対して苦情を訴えた

The residents complained about the noise.

敵が近づいてくる住民たちは自分の家に火をつけた

As the enemy approached, the residents set fire to their own homes.