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Post by saidbystacy on Jun 4, 2008 21:29:46 GMT -9
Just a reminder to cache safely this summer while trekking area trails. Was just watching KTVA Channel 11 news tonight and they reported 2 sexual assaults occuring on the Chester Creek Trail this morning. The following link is a municipal site with tips for trail safety. www.muni.org/trailwatch/TWsafety.cfmAnd has anyone joined or considered joining the Trail Waitch program?
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Post by ladybugkids on Jun 5, 2008 5:57:18 GMT -9
Yup. I joined a couple of months ago after hearing about a cacher being accosted while doing a night cache. I've since been reporting homeless camps (active or not) with GPS coordinates whenever I find them and I encourage others to do the same. I don't know if it was my report that got University Park cleaned out, but WarrenPeace reported in his log that the inhabitants are gone. Joining TrailWatch is free and easy by going to this site: MOA TrailWatchLet's ALL do our part to keep Anchorage's parks safe and clean for geocachers and all other parks users!!!
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mtboy
Silver Cacher
Posts: 139
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Post by mtboy on Jun 5, 2008 6:04:16 GMT -9
Another thing that I have been doing while caching campbell creek is marking homeless camps and reporting them. It might seem heartless, but I have had enough of the trash and feces everywhere when I go for a walk. I found five within a mile of my house while caching the other night!!!!!!!!!!! Not to mention the health hazard, much of that fecal matter ends up in the creeks. Enough said. I talked to a couple people in the parks department and they said that GPS coordinates to camps are great!
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Post by saidbystacy on Jun 5, 2008 9:06:15 GMT -9
I don't think it's heartless. It's a health and safety issue for everyone invovled, including the homeless. Maybe by clearing out these areas with help steer some of these folks to the help they need.
These trails are are supposed to be enjoyed by everyone who is able to enjoy them. And I've noticed that area parks are becoming resting grounds for the homeless, too. I know I was thwarted a couple times in the past week while caching because there were homeless congregating in the immediate vicinities around a cache.
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Post by oleruns on Jun 5, 2008 10:11:27 GMT -9
I sat on a committee, the Chester Creek Sports Complex (Mulcahy Stadium) for upgrades. There are a million uses and users for the small stretch of land. I would like to see the track upgraded or should I say finished. There was $2,000,000 set aside for the track but money seems to vanish on those types of projects. To get to the point of this thread – I wanted to have the parkland to have the dead spruce cleaned out and have a landscape architect design a field events venue for track. Discus, shot, javelin, hammer lined with trees bleachers, that could be used for other things like soccer or picnics when not used for track ( 350 days a year used for other things ) The reason we would like to have this is for major track and field events is that Anchorage could bid on or host them in Anchorage. Our summer weather is the best in the world for track; it’s not that hot here. That’s when I found out that the land behind the stadium was willed to the city and that part of the will is that it will remain like it is. If it stays like it is, it will always be a homeless sanctuary. People are scared to run down that trail because of the creeps and homeless – Most all homeless are harmless but it only take one to make things bad. I am sure the intent of the persons will would not have been to have it end up as it is.
Track aside; I think that land should be cleared at least of the spruce. I know they are working on it but it needs to be cleared much faster. I believe that most of this work is being done by trail watch volunteers.
I also would like to see parks have dedicated grounds keepers responsible to watch and care for each park like they do in other cities. I know, I live in a dream world ;D
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bilder
Bronze Cacher
Posts: 18
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Post by bilder on Jun 5, 2008 11:25:26 GMT -9
I joined the Trail Watch program when it first was developed in 2003.
I had reported a homeless camp the week before the first development meeting and gave the dispatcher the GPS coords. At the meeting, the 911 center rep mentioned that the week before she got a call about a camp and some guy gave her the GPS coords. I introduced myself and found out that at the time, the police had no GPS units at their disposal. REI donated several hand held units to the police a few weeks later.
The homeless tend to trash the areas, but the assaults are usually done by someone who has a home and is just using the trails as a place to carry out their crimes.
I found out that the trail watch arm bands also give you good cover when geocaching. If you are staring at an object while wearing the armband, folks tend to think you are looking for graffiti or something.
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Post by ladybugkids on Jun 5, 2008 12:26:17 GMT -9
I know I was thwarted a couple times in the past week while caching because there were homeless congregating in the immediate vicinities around a cache. I encourage people to report, report, and report again if they every feel unsafe. There are several catagories under which one can file a report: 1. Report criminal activity or suspicious behavior 2. Report a trail maintenance issue such as graffiti, trail damage and vandalism, broken or burned out trail lighting, or obstruction of the trail. 3. Report an illegal camp along the Anchorage trail system or litter that appears to be related to alcohol 4. report general observations including suggestions, comments, wild life sightings, response from trail users and other experiences on the trail
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Post by saidbystacy on Jun 5, 2008 23:42:26 GMT -9
You're absolutely right. The system only works if we use it.
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mtboy
Silver Cacher
Posts: 139
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Post by mtboy on Jun 6, 2008 6:36:50 GMT -9
I like the trail watch idea. Imagine the positive effect on Anchorage parks if a large number of geocachers stepped up as trailwatch members. I think that when I return from colorado I will join up. We spend so much time wandering around strange areas of parks and on the trails that we see a lot...I know I have reported a lot of strange things...I have discovered everything but a body. That is probably coming.
I think we should set a Geocache Alaska Goal of "deputizing" at least 20 trailwatch members in 2008?
Note for Ole: Your Ranger Rick junior ranger badge doesn't carry any weight. You will need to sign up seperately.
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Post by oleruns on Jun 6, 2008 7:58:46 GMT -9
Note for Ole: Your Ranger Rick junior ranger badge doesn't carry any weight. You will need to sign up seperately. I had to open 13 boxes of Frosted Flakes for that Ranger Rick Junior Ranger badge. To let you know I have moved up to the junior osprey level and I should be able to move up to Ranger Rick's Sir Ocelot soon! Thanks for following my Ranger Rick status, it means a lot.
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Post by warrenpeace on Jun 6, 2008 21:53:41 GMT -9
My wife and I are particularly concerned with what is being discussed here. We need to feel safe out there and protect those we can. Why I hadn't thought of joining trail watch before baffles me, but I'm entirely encouraged by the LadybugKids logs/GPS reporting and the cleaning up of that homeless camp at University Park, and by Ole's notes on the Moose over in 99504 area just yesterday. What's encouraging is that we're all working together already to keep each other safe and aware...
I'm joining trailwatch.
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Post by saidbystacy on Jun 8, 2008 8:55:23 GMT -9
I'm joining trail watch as well. I had thought about doing so when they first formed, but at the time I wasn't on the trails hardly at all. No time like the present, though!
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bilder
Bronze Cacher
Posts: 18
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Post by bilder on Jun 8, 2008 10:04:12 GMT -9
It would be a great statement to have as many geocachers as possible sign up for Trail Watch.
As Geocachers we tend to get off trail more than the average park user. This gives us an advantage as Trail Watch members in reporting problems that are often overlooked by the general public. The homeless camps in the woods are a prime example.
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bilder
Bronze Cacher
Posts: 18
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Post by bilder on Jun 8, 2008 10:06:41 GMT -9
Do they still give you the armbands? I moved a couple months ago and have no clue as to where mine is. May need to get a replacement if I cannot find it soon.
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Post by warrenpeace on Jun 9, 2008 16:53:05 GMT -9
Check out this website... www.muni.org/trailwatch/You sign up on an electronic form, and they send you an email that explains a lot and gives the instructions below (you get an armband when you pick up your packet and I currently have the video from Loussac, but I'll get it back to the library by the end of the week.) There is a spot on your registration to identify which land use group you belong to (if any), I listed Geocache Alaska, and I think it listing "us" is a great way to communicate good things to the city and Trail Watch organizers from geocachers in general. 1. Watch the Trail Watch orientation video. This 20 minute video is shown periodically on Channel 10 and is also available for check-out from the Loussac Library. 2. Pick up your Trail Watch welcome packet. This packet includes volunteer information and a Trail Watch armband. Packets can be picked up at: Office of Parks and Recreation Administration Building 2pm 4pm (Tuesday only) 120 South Bragaw Street (next to Clark Middle School) Kincaid Chalet 2pm 8pm everyday (except Tuesdays)
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Post by saidbystacy on Jun 9, 2008 18:30:28 GMT -9
I just picked up my orientation packet at Kincaid this morning and I asked if you could get a replacement arm band and they said yes.
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Post by oleruns on Jun 13, 2008 10:51:41 GMT -9
I used the website to report some garbage and after three days it is still there. I think the website submit button doesn't really send any information any place, it's just to make us feel like we are being good Ranger Ricks. ;D I gave it a shot.
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Post by saidbystacy on Jun 13, 2008 11:37:05 GMT -9
I used it a couple days ago to report a homeless camp under a bridge and a lot of broken glass in a tunnel. I don't know if they've been remedied, but I imagine this time of year they are inundated with reports to sift through. I know homeless camps get forwarded to Community Work Service & ARBRA and things like broken trail and lots of trash get forwarded to Muni maintenance. Fingers crossed.
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Post by oleruns on Jun 13, 2008 13:03:21 GMT -9
What I noticed with the delay is that the stuff is going back into the woods from where it came, almost like a homeless garage sale. One man’s garbage is another’s Lay-Z-Boy.
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mtboy
Silver Cacher
Posts: 139
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Post by mtboy on Jun 14, 2008 8:06:58 GMT -9
i did see a homeless camp i reported in march show up on their list of compliants...it is not there now. Perhaps they are three months behind. Let me know in August/ September if it is still there.
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Post by warrenpeace on Jun 14, 2008 15:43:26 GMT -9
I've thought about this a little bit...
There are also specific phone numbers to call for the following: APD Non-Emergency: 786-8900 Graffiti: 343-4663 Litter: 343-6328 Vandalism: 343-8277 Litter due to camps: 563-3815 (ext 225) Specific Questions about TrailWatch program: 343-4296 OR 343-4287
These numbers come directly from TrailWatch literature.
I guess I think calling reports might be a good idea in addition to web-reporting.
Talking to someone or leaving a voice message gives me the feeling like I've clearly handed off my report.
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Post by NorthWes on Aug 15, 2008 8:06:15 GMT -9
Trailwatch has issued a call for volunteers to help with a trail safety project. If you attend, tell 'em you're a geocacher! Here's the call:
A call for volunteers for Phase 2 Campbell Creek Trail Safety Makeover August 16 Phase 2 South Campbell Creek Trail safety makeover project –Rovenna Street Trail connector to Northwood / Victor & Dimond trails is planned for August 16. The work will compliment the earlier work by Trail Watch, AFD Fire Wise and Youth Employment in Parks (YEP) completing the trail from the Old Seward Highway downstream to the Rovenna Street Connector west of Arctic Blvd. The primary goal will be selective thinning and brushing to open visibility on blind corners, areas of black spruce and alder and beaver deadfall removal up to approximately 20 – 30 ft following the thinning guidelines. The work area will avoid thinning of bank stabilizing vegetation and stream side trees similar to the earlier work on Campbell Creek and Chester Creek Trail Makeover efforts. Volunteers should arrive at the Rovenna Street Trail Connector west of Arctic Blvd. at 8:30- 8:45 am reporting to the Trail Watch Project Leaders, Howard Mosley & Mark Fitch. To get to the staging area, volunteers should travel on Arctic Blvd south and turn right or west off of Arctic Blvd at West 81st at the Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church. Volunteers will travel one block to the first stop and at the stop, turn left or south on Summerset Drive. Volunteers should follow Summerset Drive to the end / T in the road and turn left on Rovenna Street. The work staging area will be at the end of the block. Volunteers are asked to be prepared with appropriate weather gear, work boots, work gloves, water, sweat band / small face towel, and mosquito repellent. Loppers and brushing tools will be provided if volunteer need them. The work day is scheduled to begin at 9:00am and end near to 3:00 – 3:15p. Volunteers should plan to bring a sack lunch and soft drink for the lunch break planned from 12:15-12:45p. This project will benefit many to include Taku Elementary school children, midtown work force that uses this major trail for commuting, and individuals who use the trail for training, relaxation and fitness. It will also benefit the Anchorage visitors who may be exploring the trail system with an inviting trail. Please join us on August 16 and help complete this south Anchorage make over project.
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