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Post by NorthWes on Dec 4, 2006 10:29:24 GMT -9
From time to time (in my role as a Trail Watch committee member, under the guise of being involved for geocaching's sake with the Municipality of Anchorage's Parks and Rec Dept) I'll be bringing you timely reports on the Muni's Trail Watch program. As they're issued, Trail Watch 'ALERTS' on current situations will be shared. First - an introduction to The Trail Watch Program:The Municipality of Anchorage trail system is one of the city’s most prized and well-used resources. However, in the summer of 2003, several well-publicized incidents on Anchorage trails systems prompted significant community safety concerns.
In response, the Municipality of Anchorage developed the Trail Watch program. Through the Trail Watch program, volunteers patrol Anchorage trails with clearly visible Trail Watch armbands. These volunteers serve as extra “eyes and ears” for local law enforcement and act as a deterrent for crime. Trail Watch volunteers also identify hazardous trail conditions and provide assistance to trail users.Learn specifics about the Trail Watch Program, and how to participate as a volunteer, here:www.muni.org/trailwatchAs a 'playground' for our game, and as good stewards of the land resources we all enjoy here, it's in our best interest to go beyond CITO and be actively involved in helping to make our city parks a safe and well-cared-for resource.
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Post by NorthWes on Dec 4, 2006 10:36:09 GMT -9
Vandalism Report and request for assistance from park user groups, issued by the Trail Watch committee on Monday Dec 4 2006:
Good Morning,
Over the past two month the contractor H. Watt & Scott, Inc. working at the Abbott Loop Community Park constructing the picnic shelter and completing the parking lot has been battling paintball vandalism nearly nightly. Attached is their report.
“About 3-4 times per week the jobsite has been sprayed by paintball "enthusiasts". They apparently come after we leave during the weekdays and virtually every weekend and shoot everything on site - the picnic shelter structure, our 40' van, the light plant/generator, all of the parking lot signs, the entry sign, etc., etc. I had hoped that the inexplicable excitement in shooting at a stationary piece of wood would fade after the first few attacks, but that doesn't appear to be the case. As you probably know, paintball gun uses water based paint but can shoot in a very rapid fire mode, so we often have hundreds of hits in one attack. I have no idea what the ultimate result will be on the unfinished wood structure - we tried to keep the glulams (beams) cleaned off as soon as we got to site, but it's become to big a problem to deal with. Whether this paint (even after it's washed off) will leave a residue that creates a blotchy appearance for the finish stain is anyone's guess.
With the shorter daylight hours we are present on site virtually all of the time that it is light (when we leave around 4:45 p.m. it's getting dark), so they are apparently coming in the dark. With all of the trail users I have to believe that someone sees these attacks, but we haven't heard about it. We could close off the parking lot but I don't know if these people are coming in on foot or in cars and we would seriously irritate the other users of the area. Do you have any suggestions? Is there a way to ask the park rangers and/or the police to increase (or begin) patrols in this area?”
We are asking Far North Bicentennial Park / trail users and Trail Watch members to help us watch the Abbott Loop Community Park area/ trail head, if time permitting swing into the parking lot and if you see paintball / suspicious activity report it to APD dispatch 786-8900. Please share this with other park and trail users soliciting their assistance in our prevention effort.
Thank You
Edit: Special Note - this is the trailhead connecting to the Tour of Anchorage Trail's transit of the area west of the Campbell Airstrip. Be extra vigilant in this area regarding the vandalism described, and the possibility of spillover vandalism of personal vehicles in this parking lot.
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Post by oleruns on Dec 4, 2006 12:50:27 GMT -9
Anchorage Running Club and USATF have been working with trail watch as well, it's a great program. If you want to do it, you'll get a little yellow arm band and watch a TV program, you're good to go. I've been doing it for a couple years and have made a couple phone calls. That's about all you do, is call it in if you see something. Don't tell them to stop or act like a police officer. It also lets other trail users know that you have a cell phone and can get help if they need it.
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Post by NorthWes on Dec 5, 2006 9:30:16 GMT -9
An email from the mayor's office Monday 12-4-06:
All: I have sent some folks in the police department this note to see what police can do.
Meanwhile, how about the next morning when there is vandalism we coordinate a little media and get the press out there to show the community what’s going on.
We will definitely get the attention of the local homeowners and park users if they see some media.
If you call me any morning, I can coordinate media quickly.
I think it could help.
Julie Hasquet
Mayor’s Office
343-7103
Sounds as if the police may be encouraged from the mayors office to have an expanded onsite presence... be aware if you're caching in that area that Police muggles may ask you about geocaching!
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