Downtown: Not There Yet (Cincinnati, Forest: insurance, hotel, purchase)

[Sarah Perry]

Quoting from a Yelp review of a downtown Cincinnati hotel by a female guest, who reinforces the point I've tried to make several times about panhandlers. And I know exactly where she's coming from (pun intended), because I used to sometimes be a female business traveler staying alone in big city downtowns without a car. Yes, she probably should have talked to hotel desk staff before venturing out into the twilight. But I wonder how we fix this?

"WARNING TO WOMEN: Be careful walking around outside by yourself at night. NOTHING is open and there are tons of panhandlers and random thugs who will try and talk to you on the practically empty streets. I was trying to find a place to grab dinner at 7pm to bring back to my room and I didn't feel safe AT ALL. Which is going to force me to pay for overpriced room service the rest of my stay here."

[Joeytraveler]

So what does being there entail? An applebees on the corner? No one who is different than me? I'm sorry that she felt uncomfortable but if you have xenophobic tendencies it's probably best to stay home.

[progmac]

Statistically, downtown is quite safe. We already criminalize panhandling. I agree that it is sad that the guest is afraid to leave her room; I wish she felt safer.

What is "there?"

BTW - which hotel?

[Joeytraveler]

At and around fountain square there are a decent amount of options at 7. At 10 not so much but if you can't find something at 7 my sympathy for you lessens.

[lsrn]

This is why all women need to obtain a carry permit and take a gun with them when they are out alone at night in unfamiliar areas. I certainly feel safer when I have mine with me.

[Joeytraveler]

From looking at yelp it was the Hilton netherland.

[progmac]

Originally Posted by Joeytraveler

From looking at yelp it was the Hilton netherland.

Perhaps she ventured west instead of East towards the square. If you go that way, there isn't much and it is really empty because of the monolothic block-gobbling convention center and associated parking structures. Then again, it is hard to miss the square right outside of your hotel, where you have a hundred foot TV going and bands and whatever else happening.

[Joeytraveler]

Agreed, there are definitely hitems in more tucked away areas like the new residence inn. I could understand the argument if you were staying there or the dennison but at the Hilton it's much less of an issue.

Sadly it seems that the dennison always has no vacancy so I can't fulfill my dream of getting a room and taking pictures of it.

[captaincatfish]

Originally Posted by lsrn

This is why all women need to obtain a carry permit and take a gun with them when they are out alone at night in unfamiliar areas. I certainly feel safer when I have mine with me.

I'm sorry, but I gotta disagree just slightly here...I'm an Army vet, and at about 275 lbs, I back off from no man or beast...but even I know, the solution to something doesn't always involve 'busting a cap' in someone or punching someone in the mouth...

I am in favor of those who exercise responsible gun ownership, as you advocate (i.e. carry permits and firearms safety classes, and also proper weapon storage)...but then there are those who are ready to go all 'John Wayne' at a moment's notice, running off at the mouth about what they'd do in this situation or that situation, how big their gun is, what type of ammo they use, etc...I really hope that you're not a John Wayne in training, and would use discretion should you decide to 'pack' in public...

And to the topic at hand, I think JoeyTraveler was spot-on in some things he said...there ARE options for dining and such after 7pm, and to that end research is in order...

When my wife and I are downtown, we are ALWAYS alert, and aware of our surroundings...I'll be danged if I'm going to let some roving bands of numbnuts keep us prisoner in a hotel room, or anyplace else in the city...armed or unarmed

[Wilson513]

I would discourage CC for women seeking to be left alone on the streets but for a different reason. Only the most extreme attack will justify using the CC weapon. An unused weapon is no weapon. I think a 13 ounce can of Bear Spray is more practical for the traveler. The US Forest Service says it will usually deter an 800 pound bear with fur on his face, so I am pretty sure that an aggressive panhandler will be discouraged and the traveler is less likely to get prosecuted. With a 30 foot range, I think the Bear Spray is a better bet. Don't forget to purchase the personal liability umbrella policy with your homeowners' insurance to cover the suits if you happen to spray a couple of innocent bystanders.