City believes Columbia parks and trails are safe

After two women on the East Coast were murdered while jogging, ABC 17 News looked into what the city of Columbia is doing to ensure safety for joggers and trail goers.

Columbia Park’s and Recreation says parks in Columbia are the safest parts of the city, even safer than some parking lots.

Michael Griggs, Parks and Recreation director says the city has taken measures to assure parks and trails are safer in Columbia. “We have two park rangers that are dedicated to patrol parks and trails, and after hours we have security overnight.”

Griggs says Parks and Recreation would like to have more park rangers, but it all comes down to funding.

With a lack of funding, means lack of lights. Griggs says for years, the department has been torn between adding or not adding lights. “Certain sections of the community would love to see us pave the trail, put up lights because they use it for transportation,” he says, “Then you have a part of the community who says keep the trail as it is, don’t you dare put lights up.”

ABC 17 News talked with some trail goers who say, they travel in groups for safety. Elizabeth Quinn and Sara Helfrich travel the trail three to four times a week, during the day, and in pairs. “We definitely like to exercise together, especially being a girl you don’t want to be by yourself,” Quinn said.

Griggs told ABC 17 News that as of now, no lighting plans are in the works but the department is willing to propose something further to the city if that’s what the citizens of Columbia want.

Experts say you should always alert someone where you go, travel in twos, and know your surroundings prior to your travels.