Editorial: Bike path crime spree is a crock

Posted 10/18/18

Years ago, when there was talk of building the East Bay Bike Path, some along its route raised a ruckus, arguing that this path past their backyards would surely bring a crime wave the likes of which …

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Editorial: Bike path crime spree is a crock

Posted

Years ago, when there was talk of building the East Bay Bike Path, some along its route raised a ruckus, arguing that this path past their backyards would surely bring a crime wave the likes of which those towns had never seen.

It hardly worked out that way. Today the path is used and enjoyed by more people than any other recreational facility in the area and bad behavior is rare. There has certainly never been the wave of vandalism and burglaries that alarmists promised.

But since history’s lessons are elusive, it’s no surprise to hear the same hue and cry (from fewer people blessedly) about a bike path/Mount Hope Bay Greenway plan proposed for Tiverton’s waterfront. Westport can expect the same when its path plan gets further along.

It heads north to Fall River and we all know what that means, a Tiverton Town Council member warns. Bad actors from that shady place will flock to the path, using it as a crime corridor along which to invade defenseless Tiverton.

Sounds scary but makes no more sense than that East Bay panic of long ago.

Even the most inept burglars can probably guess that they’d stand out a bit hiking north on that path with flatscreen TV and other loot in tow. In fact, the old overgrown railroad route is a better escape route as it stands now — nobody’s on it and it’s well screened.

And burglars like their getaway cars. There may be no worse escape plan than a couple mile trudge past cyclists, dog walkers and joggers (all packing cell phones). Police, in fact, might appreciate the help since they’d need only put a car at the few access points and wait (the path is bordered to the west by the bay the whole way).

In the East Bay case, a closer look revealed that much of the noise was made by people who had another reason to resent the path, that considerable number who had put the state-owned land to personal use. Surveyors found the right-of-way covered by encroachers — porches, decks, sheds, garages, lawns … When those same properties are advertised for sale now, the headline reads “Great bike path location!”

The Mount Hope Bay Greenway will be a superb asset for Tiverton and for people from towns all around who love a great outdoor place to stretch their legs and enjoy the view.

Crime spree? Don’t bet on it.

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Meet our staff
Jim McGaw

A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.