NORTH CAROLINA, USA — Greenway safety is top of mind right now, especially as the weather warms up and more people are going out for walks or runs with family and friends.
To help keep people safe, Mount Holly is adding security cameras along the greenways.
Over the last few months, people have brought up safety concerns about the Mount Holly River Hawk Greenway to city leaders and they are doing something about it. In the coming weeks, folks will have an extra sense of security on the trails.
Caroline Schaat, who often uses the greenway, was out enjoying the park nearby with her kids on Wednesday.
“We go on a lot of walks, so that is what we usually use them for … just going on walks with our family,” Schaat said.
Feeling safe when enjoying these spaces is important and to help in this Mount Holly City Council approved the installation of five security cameras along the greenway.
These are efforts local moms say they want to see more of.
“I think having cameras will deter bad behaviors from going on around there,” Schaat said, who also wants to see more lighting.
“I’m all for cameras and making sure especially women feel safe when using those areas,” Katie Searle, who was on the greenway with her son, said.
Mount Holly city leaders say police officers patrol the greenway about four times a day and the cameras will have a live feed directly to the 911 center.
Meanwhile, in Cornelius, the police department is also working to keep their greenways safe with constant patrols.
“We have bicycle patrols … officers out on bikes, and we have a motor type unit with dual sport dirt bike type motorcycles that allows us for quick and easy access to the greenways and can get us from one end of the greenway to the other very quickly,” Deputy Chief Jennifer Thompson said.
This comes as Cornelius PD is searching for a man accused of exposing himself near McDowell Creek Greenway over the weekend.
“We had a report of a man showing his private parts on the greenway to a victim who fortunately called and reported that to us,” Thompson said.
Police said the incident happened Sunday around 4:30 p.m. and in broad daylight.
“This guy … the clear sky, the sunshine does not bother him,” Thompson said. “It’s an opportunity when he sees a female alone.”
Since the agency shared the suspect’s photo on Facebook Cornelius PD has received several calls about potential sightings of the man and another victim has come forward.
Thompson said it’s important to report any suspicious activity right away and to also keep these precautions in mind.
“It’s important for someone to know you are going out for a walk, take your phone out with you,” Thompson said. “Be aware of who is around you … and who is going past you.”
The department has crews constantly patrolling the greenways and reminding folks to stay vigilant. It’s a message some walkers already take to heart.
“My husband always knows where I am and I don’t listen to music, so I know what is going on around me,” Searle said.
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.