Safety on the Trails

[dasgeh]

One issue that has come up in the MMTSSSC is the perception that the trails in Arlington are unsafe (from a crime perspective) for children. There was mention of reading the crime report. The specific trails mentioned were Bluemont, FMR and W&OD through Glencarlyn Park and FMR under 395.

There is a different perspective on safety for younger kids versus older kids, and kids traveling along versus kids in a group and/or with an adult. But I would love to hear your thoughts on the issue.

Is the trail network not suitable for school transportation? Only for MS kids? HS kids? Only in groups? Only if with an adult? Only during daylight? Walking? Biking?
If not, should it be?
What can be done to make it safer for kids?

Topic

[baiskeli]

@rcannon100 64471 wrote:

As opposed to what?

It’s a data anomaly. The trails are an identifiable data set that stand out. When a dude get’s mugged for his watch on the Custis— we artificially associate that with the Custis. It is unusual in terms of the location of the place and therefore sticks out. We can identify a set of crimes we have heard about as trail crimes.

Good point. It’s goofy for someone to say trails are more risky in general than elsewhere.

When it comes to specifically evaluating the risk of crime when deciding whether to let my kids use a trail to get to school, vs. having them walk on my local roads or take a bus, the calculation is different. The local streets that my kids would use to walk to and from school are less likely to be a risk of crime than, to use your example, Columbia Pike. And taking a bus is even less risky, of course.

[cyclingfool]

@consularrider 64525 wrote:

Except the bushy tailed or long ear sorts.

Run away!!!

[OneEighth]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKdbZWNqF00

[rcannon100]

What was I saying about Columbia Pike?

Police: Teenager Assaulted, Robbed of ‘Grand Theft Auto’ Video Game

And then there is the argument: one way to get people to avoid messing with you – getting exercise and looking physically fit.

[Author]

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