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It appears there was another incident on the SRT. It's disappointing to see the increase in crime. It seems the city is on the verge of losing the trust of those who frequent the trail. This last event was at 11:30am. If mid day isn't safe then when is?
I really have a hard time letting my wife run/bike on the trail by herself, especially in less populated areas away from Falls Park.
Not really sure what the city and county can do. It's impossible to have police along the entire trail which is currently over 17 miles long I believe all times of the day. Women that go on that trail alone need to have a knife, pepper spray, large dog, or a combination of those items with them.
In all reality, the SRT is still very safe no matter what the media states. The county does patrol the SRT on MTB's and motorcycle's that I have visible seen, however, the SRT trail runs over 18 miles, so to fully enforce all areas of the SRT at one time is near impossible.
My advice to woman as 'g-man' mentioned..."Carry a knife, PS, knuckle buster, Taser, large dog, or a combination of all of them." Be vigilant and pay attention to your surroundings at all times, and try to go with another person if feasible. The bigger this city gets, the worse the crime will get.
At approximately 11:30 this morning, a female was on the Swamp Rabbit Trail between the YMCA and Cleveland Park. She was assaulted by a white male on a dark color bicycle. The male pushed her down and struck her a couple times. After she was able to fend him off he fled on the bicycle toward Faris Road. The suspect is described as being in his late teens or early twenties, approximately 5'10", with a slim build and dark hair and eyes. He was wearing a tan shirt and black pants.
11:30 am is too early to be safe. Make sure the sun is at least full in the sky.
I think any long trail like that, you shouldn't be out there alone.
There is a Saw Branch Trail in Summerville. It's not as long as the SRT but it's about 6 miles. Parts of it are isolated.
I was using the trail one afternoon and all of a sudden I see all these cops pop out. It scared me to death. Someone had carjacked someone at gunpoint and they suspected he was somewhere near the trail. There has been a robbery on that trail also....both incidents happened in daylight.
I don't know how many 'Dateline' shows I have watched where they are showing the start of a trail entrance where someone was last seen and went missing. This person goes on their daily jog alone and is later found in a shallow grave buried back in the woods somewhere.
Unless I'm with someone, I don't go on any isolated trail anymore and it's ashamed because I like to go walk/run on a whim and go at my own pace. I end up going in the different neighborhoods and even then you have to watch out for put bulls (that nearly attacked me). It's always something.
The Swamp Rabbit can be a great thing but any trail that runs through urban areas has this potential. I used to ride my bike on a similar trail in Rochester NY- that went along the Genessee river and the Erie canal- I always had my pepper spray ready. We ride bikes on the swamp rabbit on the weekends, but I wouldn't go on it alone in less populated areas or in certain areas. You always need to be on guard. Even walking on the short greenway near where I live, I only walk it during the day with with my dog. You can just never be too vigilant.
Do they have emergency call boxes along the trail? Not that a thug would hang out and mug people near one, and not that the victim would be able to use the box if the thug mugged them next to one, until after the fact. Any time anyone is on a trail by themselves they are taking a chance.
The Swamp Rabbit can be a great thing but any trail that runs through urban areas has this potential. I used to ride my bike on a similar trail in Rochester NY- that went along the Genessee river and the Erie canal- I always had my pepper spray ready. We ride bikes on the swamp rabbit on the weekends, but I wouldn't go on it alone in less populated areas or in certain areas. You always need to be on guard. Even walking on the short greenway near where I live, I only walk it during the day with with my dog. You can just never be too vigilant.
Do you ever hit up the Gateway Bike Park in Travelers Rest behind the SRT and Sun Rift?
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no problems so far
