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I just started using the ATT and really love it, have been going on the areas that go through west Cary, always with a friend both walking and running. I would love to go more often but it would mean going alone. Aside from the recent flasher, is it generally a safe place for an older woman to go by herself?
I guess for me personally as a woman, I always jog where I know there's lots of witnesses if that makes sense. I feel like anyone who would be up to no good is less likely to do it in an area with lots of people than in a secluded, wooded area.
Have you considered getting a concealed carry permit? Or maybe taking a marksmanship class? I don't know the area, but I can tell you that despite not feeling threatened in my area, I concealed carry as a matter of personal safety. I by no means live in a bad area, never had to use my gun, hope I never do, but it is certainly peace of mind. I also really like marksmanship, it's a fun hobby.
...is it generally a safe place for an older woman to go by herself?
Call me paranoid, but I think you're always safer with a buddy, male, female, young or old, just about anywhere you go.
That particular area isn't far from the highest crime rate area in Durham.
Full disclosure; I have never been on it. It looks really neat, and it's something I've been meaning to check out. That said, I have not heard anything about violent crimes, assaults or even harassment beyond the flasher. The Tobacco Campus has always done a great job of keeping a visible security presence, and I'm pretty sure that's one of the anchor points of the trail, isn't it?
Call me paranoid, but I think you're always safer with a buddy, male, female, young or old, just about anywhere you go.
That particular area isn't far from the highest crime rate area in Durham.
Full disclosure; I have never been on it. It looks really neat, and it's something I've been meaning to check out. That said, I have not heard anything about violent crimes, assaults or even harassment beyond the flasher. The Tobacco Campus has always done a great job of keeping a visible security presence, and I'm pretty sure that's one of the anchor points of the trail, isn't it?
I totally agree with the first point, but the stretch of the ATT that I think the OP is talking about (south of O'Kelly Chapel Rd.?) is at least 10 miles via the trail from any areas in Durham that would be considered more at risk for crime, by my calculation:
You're right about the lack of reported crime on the trail, though. I use the downtown Durham to Southpoint segment frequently for biking and have never had a problem, even in parts that go through the sketchier areas. The recent flashing incidents seem to be way out of the norm.
Last edited by lb27608; 12-05-2011 at 03:56 PM..
Reason: Corrected street name
I totally agree with the first point, but the stretch of the ATT that I think the OP is talking about (south of O'Kelly Chapel Rd.?) is at least 10 miles via the trail from any areas in Durham that would be considered more at risk for crime, by my calculation:
You're right about the lack of reported crime on the trail, though. I use the downtown Durham to Southpoint segment frequently for biking and have never had a problem, even in parts that go through the sketchier areas. The recent flashing incidents seem to be way out of the norm.
+1 that the Wake Co section of the trail is quite far from any high-crime area. I personally don't feel unsafe on the trail and have ridden pretty much every section of the trail alone at one point or another. (I occasionally bike-commute the Durham section to work.) That being said, it's always safest to go with a buddy on the trail. I'd personally worry less about crime than twisting an ankle, etc., but in any case the buddy system is always best.
...but the stretch of the ATT that I think the OP is talking about (south of O'Kelly Chapel Rd.?) is at least 10 miles via the trail from any areas in Durham that would be considered more at risk for crime, by my calculation:
Oh wow, you're right. I had no idea it was that big. Very cool.
Other accounts are correct, this is a fairly rural area of the trail, far from Durham, but also far from the crowds that might bring security.
If you were my sister, daughter, or mother, I'd be comfortable with you walking it on a nice, sunny weekend day, no less than an hour after sunrise or an hour before sunset, as those times, any place on the trail will have many users, but I would not encourage you to go on a weekday, or on a drizzly day, or near the set/rise of the sun, or any other time when you'd be more alone.
And FWIW, there have been reports of muggings on several sections of the trail. Very (!) rare, but not unheard of. Why take a chance? Go when it's going to be crowded, or go with a friend would be my advice.
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