Trail System-CS 950702n: Off -duty Austin police officers jog across Town Lake on wear identifying T- shirts and earn comp time for p rtic-
Thursday, the first day of Operation Safe Trails. Officers ipating in the program to keep the trail safe.
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own Lake crime spree
Rash of robberies along popular Austin trail worries officials
AUSTIN — The Town Lake hike -and -bike
trail is to Austinites what Central Park is to
New Yorkers — a popular downtown oasis for
i alkers, joggers and mm.,
But the analogy has taken on new meaning
.following 13 robberies and one attempted as.
Sault on the trail over the past two months, and
officials are concerned that the crime spree
`,may give a black eye to one of the city's most
"scenic sites.
"When you hear from people around the
country who have come to Austin, they will
talk typically about Sixth Street, the live music
and beautiful Town Lake and the ability to
exercise around Town Lake," said Mayor Bruce
Todd.
"It is imperative that we take and keep that
- -asset both beautiful and enjoyable and, most
- notably, safe," Mr. Todd said.
The 10 -mile trail loops around Town Lake,
uwhich flows east -west through downtown. The
C
METROPOLITANNEXAS i SOUTHWEST
HF Sunday, July 2, 1995
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path's surroundings vary. Mostly it is bordered
with thick trees and bushes, although of
trail over the years, but a spree of this nature is
unusual,
parts
it run alongside hotels such as the Four:Sea-
sons and HyattRegency.
said Senior Sgt. Pauleen Hatch, who
oversees the hike-and -bike trail squad of the
Tht .robberies W ttrre¢ from Aptrii t8 to
June 25. In each case, the criminal approached
city's park police.
"We've had - times -in the past where theme`
have
the cyclist with a weapon, usually a club or
knife; according to city police. All but
been some assaults and some sexual as.
saults, but this is the first time we've had a
one
cyclist had their bikes stolen. In the other case
string of robberies," Sgt. Hatch said.
a backpack'was taken.
"It's strange to me. It's extremely strange to
The crimes all have taken place during day.
me that it's happening on a trail that is utilized
light hours, the earliest at 12:24 .p.m. and the
so much," she said.
latest at 7:15 p.m. The trail is closed between 10
An estimated half - million people use the
p.m. and 5 a.m. I
trail each year.
Police said they had at least two suspects,
but no arrests had been made.
Only 24 officers patrol the city's 180 parks,
"They could be together. It could be a copy-
cat deal," said Lt. Greg Lasley.
Sgt. Hatch said. Five officers, including Sgt.
Batch, are assigned to the Town Lake trail.
"That's
In addition to the robberies, an attempted
P
assault occurred dune 19 near one of the
a very small number of
' People to
patrol such a large area, Sgt. Hatch said.
more
Populated areas of the trail, police said. i
Crimes have occurred sporadically
Park and city police have increased their
presence on the trail to try to combat the
on the
robberies.