Just the facts, ma'am--not tall tales about trails

Dave Fedorchak

Date published: 8/3/2006

In her reply to my op-ed regarding the empirically unsubstantiated claims about trails causing crime, Gail Gulotta dismisses one of the most comprehensive studies ever done on the issue, mostly because it was done 10 years ago ["Sorry, but I don't believe walking trails are so safe," July 24].

Demonstrating her refusal to be inconvenienced by facts, Ms. Gulotta goes on to claim that since then, crime has increased.

Actually, since 1995 the crime rate for the U.S. and Virginia has decreased. Look it up if you don't believe me.

But more significant than Ms. Gulotta's misrepresentation of crime statistics is her inability to produce a study that supports her claim.

The age of the study is rendered irrelevant only if there are studies that reach different conclusions.

Instead, major research and smaller informal surveys (including those done in recent years) continue to reach the same conclusion.

Trails do not cause or increase crime.

King George

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Date published: 8/3/2006