Crime problems on the Metropolitan Branch Trail?

[PotomacCyclist]

There have been incidents on the MBT since it opened but the crime rate has ticked upward recently. According to DC police, the MBT has been the location of four attacks in the past 30 days. The worst section appears to be between New York Avenue and Rhode Island Avenue, in the afternoon and evening hours (2-9 pm).

Until better safety measures are installed, it may be advisable to ride in groups on that part of the trail. At the very least, do not ride with earphones on. (Actually, people probably should never be riding outside with earphones on.) Stay alert.

I’ve never ridden on the MBT myself but I keep reading about these incidents, on news sites and blogs/forums.

Topic

[Greenbelt]

I think these problems are likely to be reduced as more and more people use the trail. I ride it every day and have never had any problem. That said, I think for northbound evening commuters anyway, it would be easy to just go up and wait by the NY Ave metro track for another rider to go by and ask if you could join them? Seems to me a couple people go by every minute or two. It’s not crowded like other trails, but pretty steady usage.

[CCrew]

Interesting in that they look like they’re using Tasers. Not fun.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/crime-scene/post/patrols-on-dc-trail-stepped-up-after-attacks/2011/06/06/AG8yNAKH_blog.html

[CCrew]

@CCrew 4292 wrote:

Interesting in that they look like they’re using Tasers. Not fun.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/crime-scene/post/patrols-on-dc-trail-stepped-up-after-attacks/2011/06/06/AG8yNAKH_blog.html

And a bit of an op-ed

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/all-opinions-are-local/post/the-metropolitan-branch-trail-a-police-blind-spot/2011/03/22/AGH4fKKH_blog.html

Digging a little more, looks like the kids with the Taser were caught the next day.

[Author]

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