Thread: Crime Problem
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Old 11-21-11, 05:38 AM
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contango 
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I guess you edited out the bit about the concealed carry permit, which would explain why the replies you got don't appear to align with the question you're now asking.

When you ask about what you should carry to keep yourself safe (as you originally did, even if not with that precise form of words) you'll get the kind of responses you got. Now you're asking about how to encourage law enforcement to patrol the area which is a different question entirely.

I'd hazard a guess that law enforcement will patrol based on the intelligence they receive and how inclined they are to address a specific problem. In theory telling them about issues with crime there might encourage them to patrol but in practise they'll have any number of people who want extra patrols in many areas and they probably don't have the resources to respond to every request.

It's also worth considering that even if you do get increased patrols out there, the chances are the criminals are't going to wait until they've got an audience to attack someone. If this is a multi-use path there's probably very little the police can do to move along a group of people who are sitting enjoying the views. So the police go through the area, see a group of people enjoying the view, then a cyclist goes through and the group relieves the cyclist of his bike and any valuables.

I'm a bit puzzled why you regard an alternative route as "out of the question" when "twice as long" means "an extra 10 minutes". Is saving 10 minutes worth going through an area that has potentially major crime issues? Honestly, that sounds like the same kind of reasoning that leads people to take shortcuts through dingy unlit alleyways where they might save a few minutes, assuming they actually make it through safely.

How is the road "just as dangerous"? Are you likely to fall victim to crime on the road, or are you concerned about the volume or speed of the traffic? Obviously you have to consider all the risks to your safety here and if you get run over the end result is much the same as if you get shot. Is there no alternative route, even if it is longer, that avoids both busy main roads and trails where undesirables gather?
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