Should we be concerned using the WOW trail in downtown

[Major]

"Police will also put portable cameras at key spots on the trail to further enhance security.

Volunteer “ambassadors” also frequent the trails to answer questions or report any problems."

Facts are facts. 150+ incidents over 6 years. If it's so safe, why do we need to put portable cameras at key spots and volunteer "ambassadors?"

The truth is that it is an avenue of egress for criminals. Obviously, it is safer during the day than at night.

Read the police log for Laconia. It is a much different place. On average, there's 20-30 individuals ("no known address") identified in the paper for some type of drug infraction. These people roam the streets of downtown, and the WOW trail. My wife has had two separate incidents, in broad daylight, where she thought one of these creeps was following her. One in front of Genesis and one in front of the Laconia Spa. You can ignore the issue all you want, but the fact is that there are a lot of unsavory people who inhabit downtown Laconia.

Regarding the police chief's comments, what is he supposed to say? The WOW trail is riddled with criminals? Of course not. What they have done -- cameras and "ambassadors" -- speaks volumes. The former police chief, whom I know pretty well, and have discussed this issue with, shared with me the LPD's real position on the WOW trail. They wish it didn't exist. It makes policing more difficult. He described it as an avenue of egress for criminals who commit crimes in downtown Laconia. He also described it as an attractive nuisance for homeless people who put up shelters off the trail.

And finally, Poor Richard, it's called sarcasm. Get a clue.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by Major

"Police will also put portable cameras at key spots on the trail to further enhance security.

Volunteer “ambassadors” also frequent the trails to answer questions or report any problems."

Facts are facts. 150+ incidents over 6 years. If it's so safe, why do we need to put portable cameras at key spots and volunteer "ambassadors?"

The truth is that it is an avenue of egress for criminals. Obviously, it is safer during the day than at night.

Read the police log for Laconia. It is a much different place. On average, there's 20-30 individuals ("no known address") identified in the paper for some type of drug infraction. These people roam the streets of downtown, and the WOW trail. My wife has had two separate incidents, in broad daylight, where she thought one of these creeps was following her. One in front of Genesis and one in front of the Laconia Spa. You can ignore the issue all you want, but the fact is that there are a lot of unsavory people who inhabit downtown Laconia.

Regarding the police chief's comments, what is he supposed to say? The WOW trail is riddled with criminals? Of course not. What they have done -- cameras and "ambassadors" -- speaks volumes. The former police chief, whom I know pretty well, and have discussed this issue with, shared with me the LPD's real position on the WOW trail. They wish it didn't exist. It makes policing more difficult. He described it as an avenue of egress for criminals who commit crimes in downtown Laconia. He also described it as an attractive nuisance for homeless people who put up shelters off the trail.

And finally, Poor Richard, it's called sarcasm. Get a clue.

Major, you're a little late.

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[Major]

I missed it or most likely was not included. God was probably upset with me for becoming an attorney the previous year!

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by Major

"Police will also put portable cameras at key spots on the trail to further enhance security.

Volunteer “ambassadors” also frequent the trails to answer questions or report any problems."

Facts are facts. 150+ incidents over 6 years. If it's so safe, why do we need to put portable cameras at key spots and volunteer "ambassadors?"

The truth is that it is an avenue of egress for criminals. Obviously, it is safer during the day than at night.

Read the police log for Laconia. It is a much different place. On average, there's 20-30 individuals ("no known address") identified in the paper for some type of drug infraction. These people roam the streets of downtown, and the WOW trail. My wife has had two separate incidents, in broad daylight, where she thought one of these creeps was following her. One in front of Genesis and one in front of the Laconia Spa. You can ignore the issue all you want, but the fact is that there are a lot of unsavory people who inhabit downtown Laconia.

Regarding the police chief's comments, what is he supposed to say? The WOW trail is riddled with criminals? Of course not. What they have done -- cameras and "ambassadors" -- speaks volumes. The former police chief, whom I know pretty well, and have discussed this issue with, shared with me the LPD's real position on the WOW trail. They wish it didn't exist. It makes policing more difficult. He described it as an avenue of egress for criminals who commit crimes in downtown Laconia. He also described it as an attractive nuisance for homeless people who put up shelters off the trail.

And finally, Poor Richard, it's called sarcasm. Get a clue.

From the same article, third paragraph:

Police Chief Matt Canfield , who jogs on the public trail a few times a week, says it is a safe place to walk, run and ride and wants to counter any perceptions to the contrary.

"There might be a perception of crime or danger on the WOW Trail, but it's really non-existent", he said. It's no more dangerous than walking anywhere else on any of the streets."

This precedes the sentence about putting out portable cameras and the sentence about ambassadors.

By the way, the article was about to new bikes for the department to use on patrol, not just for the WOW Trail but also in the Weirs and other areas of the city.

Dave

[Major]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

From the same article, third paragraph:

Police Chief Matt Canfield , who jogs on the public trail a few times a week, says it is a safe place to walk, run and ride and wants to counter any perceptions to the contrary.

"There might be a perception of crime or danger on the WOW Trail, but it's really non-existent", he said. It's no more dangerous than walking anywhere else on any of the streets."

This precedes the sentence about putting out portable cameras and the sentence about ambassadors.

By the way, the article was about to new bikes for the department to use on patrol, not just for the WOW Trail but also in the Weirs and other areas of the city.

Dave

My point exactly. I realize the present Chief, in the previous sentence, was extolling the safeness of the WOW Trail. However, if it is so safe, and the perception is wrong, and crime and danger are non-existent, then why place cameras or employ "ambassadors." You would think that none of these added safety measures are necessary. I highly doubt that they are being implemented solely to address the incorrect perception.

And just because the Chief says it, doesn't make it true. There is a lot of pressure to support the WOW trail. Also, when he says crime or danger is non-existent, do you believe him? The police log for Laconia is published in the Laconia Daily Sun about twice a week. Downtown Laconia doesn't appear to be too safe or free from crime to me. I think he's diminishing the crime issues in downtown Laconia. They appear to be significant.

[Poor Richard]

Originally Posted by Major

And finally, Poor Richard, it's called sarcasm. Get a clue.

It's called fearmongering. Get a dictionary.

[Major]

Originally Posted by Poor Richard

It's called fearmongering. Get a dictionary.

If you consider that fearmongering, you must be the eggshell cranium of scaredy-cats. I was only kidding when I said I was doing God's work. I am passionate about Laconia. I grew up here. I've seen the changes, and what the investment of Section 8 housing and drug rehab centers has wrought. Downtown Laconia has a real crime issue. You can choose to ignore or diminish it, but it's real.

[Poor Richard]

I consider many of your statements in this thread as definition of fearmongering.

I get that you have concerns about safety however the only things cited that I've seen are: people in a group smoking, people wearing backpacks and a few stoners getting busted. None of those equates to a compromise in safety, IMO.

[Major]

Originally Posted by Poor Richard

I consider many of your statements in this thread as definition of fearmongering.

I get that you have concerns about safety however the only things cited that I've seen are: people in a group smoking, people wearing backpacks and a few stoners getting busted. None of those equates to a compromise in safety, IMO.

I disagree. Nothing in my posts is made up or exaggerated. Read the police logs. It's not stoners. It's heroin and fentanyl users/dealers getting busted. These are the people roaming the streets of Laconia.

[Poor Richard]

Originally Posted by Major

I disagree. Nothing in my posts is made up or exaggerated. Read the police logs. It's not stoners. It's heroin and fentanyl users/dealers getting busted. These are the people roaming the streets of Laconia.

Even better. It's not stoners, it's people falling asleep.

My point is, you are stating there is safety issue on the trail then go on to name absolutely nothing that affects your safety. People different than you is your percieved safety concern.

Laconia doesn't have anything special going on that can't already be found in the public areas of Concord, Manchester, Nashua, Rochester, etc.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by Major

I disagree. Nothing in my posts is made up or exaggerated. Read the police logs. It's not stoners. It's heroin and fentanyl users/dealers getting busted. These are the people roaming the streets of Laconia.

Sorry major I disagree. These individuals have been around long before the trail and really to don’t effect safety on the trail especially during daylight when it is really being used.


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[iw8surf]

Originally Posted by Poor Richard

I consider many of your statements in this thread as definition of fearmongering.

I get that you have concerns about safety however the only things cited that I've seen are: people in a group smoking, people wearing backpacks and a few stoners getting busted. None of those equates to a compromise in safety, IMO.

No fear mongering here just a purely negative based opinion. I use to use the WOW trail as I liked to ride my bike on it. From a cost standpoint I think it was projected in 2010 to cost 7Million. Personally I think that money could have been better allocated elsewhere. --- someone correct me if that $ figure is wrong.

To me, it seemed like a lot of money and a lot of logistics/ land arguments for something pretty simple. Where else that money could have been better allocated is a matter of opinion of what I think is more important than what someone else does so that's irrelevant.

But after living in the neighborhood for the past 8 years I have formed the opinion that Laconia is a much much different "lakes region town" than Meredith, Center Harbor, Sanbornton, Gilford, Moultonborough, Etc. I drive the scenic route through 5 of those towns and drive fast straight through one of them.

[Descant]

We forget sometimes how safe NH is compared to 49 other states. The result may be that any little incident appears as significant. We should all be pleased that a couple of portable cameras and some "ambassadors" are all that appears necessary to provide a good level of safety.