Safety on McAllen's Second Street Trail

SAFETY ON THE SECOND STREET TRAIL

To the Mayor; members of the McAllen City Commission; City Manager; Parks and Recreation Department and the McAllen Police Department; the Correcaminos Running Club of McAllen, Texas, presents this petition to you today asking for increased lighting and police patrols along the 2nd Street Hike and Bike Trail and its parking areas.

In the past year, three members of our club an affiliate of the non-profit Road Runners Club of America have been victims of crime on the trail. Thieves have broken into two separate cars on two separate occasions at the makeshift parking lot at La Vista Ave, stealing a cell phone and a purse. And most recently, on Tuesday, Dec. 11, the two club presidents, Lea Baginksi and Cari Lambrecht, were victims of indecent exposure. A man, south of Pecan, was seen clearly pleasuring himself and was disrobed from the waist down. All three incidents were reported to the police department. Yet, our club members have reported to its leaders other incidents, too, including a man chasing two girls and harassment by intoxicated individuals early in the morning.

McAllens Hike and Bike Trail is one of this citys great assets. Many people use the trail for enjoyment and exercise. The Correcaminos Running Club doesnt wish to see the trail become a haven for thieves and sexual deviants. What is the likelihood that three crimes should occur within a year to three members of the same club, which has about 130 members, 16 of which are paid? Thats a rate of 2.3 crimes per 100 individuals or 18.75 crimes per 100 individuals in this area, depending on which membership number you use. Either way, the numbers speak for themselves.

The Correcaminos Running Club respectfully asks that for the safety of all people who use the 2nd Street Hike and Bike Trail, including children, the city seriously consider increased police patrols or constable courtesy patrols during peak hours of use, better lighting along the dark sections of trail and at parking areas and perhaps even emergency call boxes. The Correcaminos Running Club would be glad to help fundraise or serve in an advisory capacity for the effort. We only want to be safe when we run.