There is a park nearby. It has hiking trails, river access, and picnic amenities. It has potential to be a great space for nature lovers, but it is secluded, and not a patrol priority for law enforcement. Rumor is, the park is a favorite location for drug deals, and prostitution. When I asked a police officer about it, he recommended staying away.
The thing I detest about being a woman, is society’s implication, of being the liability sex. I’m not sure which bothers me most, assumptions made about my individual character, or that it contains elements of truth. Everybody knows when you have a son, you only have to concern yourself about one swinging dick, but when you have a daughter you have to worry about all the swinging dicks.
I’m infuriated my tax dollars are being used to maintain a public space as safe zone for illegal activities. For officials to concede a park to lawless activities and suggest citizens enjoy recreation elsewhere, because they don’t properly patrol, uggh! I refuse to be intimidated in my own fucking cow town. I will not live afraid, simply because it is impractical for me to urinate while standing erect.
My ego is not so great that I forfeit safety in favor of pride. I’ve read the statistics for assault and the results are staggering. It makes me nauseous when I consider the number of women I know who are statistics too. Dark college campuses, mall parking lots, and unfamiliar streets foster my cognizance of spacial awareness, and stranger proximity.
The Mister and I have returned to the park. We go in the morning or afternoon (fewer suspicious types around). Trails are more interesting than circling the neighborhood. Each time, I long to return more frequently, whether or not I have a companion. Safety is a priority for me and the Mister, but I don’t want the Mister’s work schedule to control my walking schedule.
The Mister and I agree, I won’t visit the park without bringing some form of intimidation. We’ve concluded the safest times to visit the park are early morning (people are sleeping it off) or mid-afternoon (day jobs, and after lunch). I’ve reviewed self-defense tactics from the Mister’s employee training manual. If the Mister is available, we will go together.
The safest recourse is to find another space and forget the park, but I’m not willing to concede, yet… I understand the risks… and I don’t take them lightly. Being cavalier has consequences I don’t need. I’m not making an executive decision, the Mister knows my intentions and we are discussing self-protection measures. I agreed not to go alone until we reached a consensus. I’ve arranged to borrow a dog for some outings (I’m not ready to be a dog owner).
What measures do you suggest? Mace? Pepper Spray? Cattle Prod?
January 21st, 2008 at 11:38 pm
actually, a knife. Pepper spray can be iffy if caught in the wrong wind and a knife always has the element of surprise.
January 21st, 2008 at 11:50 pm
a cell phone with speed dial. a taser? a fake fbi badge? I just don’t know. I know what you mean about being infuriated that we are the ones that have to take responsibility for the fact that some men have no sense of respect. putting it lightly. I don’t park in dark lots. My husband was rather surprised by this. He grew up here thinking that it was safe for everybody. Think again. Even here where we tend to not lock the door for daily walks, I consider safety when I’m alone.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:03 am
A bat…and Guido.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:24 am
no ipod. daytime. and dog spray.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:04 am
a big stick and a mother bear.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:41 am
I hate having a vagina. I freely admit to penis envy.
The dog’s your best bet.
January 22nd, 2008 at 7:39 am
How sad and what a waste! I wonder what could be done to take the park back from the hoodlums. SOunds like this would benefit your community.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:40 am
I take dog and cell phone. And my fear still taints those walks. Keep looking for another location. And complain. What about a group of citizen “rangers”? It took 20 years in my town, but new Park and Rec. Dept building is located at the park that had gone to drugs and prostitutes the trails and pond have been cleaned up.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Ok - I love maggie’s fake FBI badge suggestion - that one had me laughing..
A dog is always good, but another person is better. My only hesitation with weapons is that if you are overpowered and that person did not have a weapon, well, they have one now…if you get bear spray, it comes out in a very strong stream that the wind won’t blow about quite so much like mace.
And yes, I have the same fears when I am out running alone. I never wear headphones.
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:29 pm
pepper spray. and i might add…i’ve known a bunch of both dealers and prostitutes…they are an alright crowd most of the time too..
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:56 pm
taser. I read somewhere that they were the hot stocking stuffer this year, and i am not making that up.
January 23rd, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Asics or New Balance shoes would be my weapon of choice.
I like you, no I really like you. Your spirit is good. Don’t go changin’.
January 24th, 2008 at 12:10 am
flutter, I hesitate to carry a knife because I wouldn’t want an assailant to take it away.
Maggie, cell phone, check! I’m not sure about the taser yet. Awareness of your environment is a good habit for men and women alike. I’ve refused to go into poorly lit areas with Mister at my side before. I won’t be afraid, but I will be cautious.
Lynn, does Guido come with a warranty and is it legal to ship him across state lines?
crazymumma, excellent point about the ipod. Now is not the time to compromise any of the five senses.
liv, does that mean you’ll be my walking partner?
nancy, the dog is my first choice.
Diane Mandy, there is talk of improvements to the trail in the future. If they build a boardwalk, flooding won’t be as detrimental to the trails. Better trails means more visitors. The crime rate here is high when compared to the nation, but most of the crimes are theft, burglary, or property related.
De, I’ll start with the parks department. Maybe I can get a few friends to call in too. Multiple complaints might make an impact.
QT, and the fake FBI badge has so many other uses. I’ll be checking into the bear spray. I like the idea of a thirty foot range.
jen, I hope that’s true in this case too. I’m not interested in being a hero. I would rather live and let live. I just want a woodsy place to spend a little time.
meno, stocking stuffer? Shit, all I got in my stocking was miso soup and watercolor brushes
egan, so if your saying if the dude starts gaining on me those shoes will come off super easy and I can use them as projectiles? No, I understand wht you’re saying, they have steal toes.
January 24th, 2008 at 1:49 am
Tell them you have a blog. That will stop them in their tracks if the shoes don’t.
January 24th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
If you need one, I have a very handy, very hard baseball bat right by my bedside. But I’m liking the idea of “Killer”, your very own rental, snarling Doberman.
January 24th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
egan, yes that should solve all my problems. While they stand there dazed and confused I will be able to flee their evil grasp.
Joan, I just knew you would offer me your nine iron. I had no idea you were a baseball bat kind of woman. I’m impressed. As for the dog, currently, I’m limited to an obese golden retriever with a s\cheerful disposition.
February 10th, 2008 at 2:47 am
I’m a wimp. I’d stay away from the park. But… I admire your passion and zeal. I really do. Just be safe.
February 10th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
mama P, I don’t think its too dangerous. I just want to be mindful. I hate the thought that my cavalier attitude could lead to a disturbing phone call for the Mister.