Keep Alert while on walking trails

Today I was at the Baseline trail doing my usual moring ride when I met up with a lady I know. She asked me about a man that had walked next to me a few days prior. I told her I had just met him on the trail and he had asked if he could walk with me since he was new to the trail. I didn't think anything about it. Our conversations were just plain talk. My friend said that it started that way on the first day she met him, then  he started with more personal inquiries until he got offensive. He has been going to the Baseline trail and walking next to women that are alone. He is over 6 ft tall, walks with a cane, around middle to late 50's and olive skin tone. The  sheriff was on the trail today checking things out. I am now going to avoid the trail unless I'm on my bike or with someone I know. If you walk the trails please keep aware of who walks up to you, if possible do not walk alone. This could have turned out ugly.

Views: 512

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Theresa on May 9, 2012 at 11:13am

I have been walking the same trails since last August and never had an issue. I'm not going to stop but I am going to be more alert as to my surroundings and use my bike more.
 
slmomof3 said:

Wow that is real scary! I have never walked on the trails yet and was thinking about it even trying the Jervy Gantt but maybe I should rethink it. Thank you for the heads up.

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Lavallee on May 9, 2012 at 5:04pm

Where are the baseline trails?

Permalink Reply by Sunflwrgirl on May 9, 2012 at 5:39pm

Scary. I am glad you are okay. People are creepy! Thanks for letting me  and everyone else know. :)

Permalink Reply by Theresa on May 9, 2012 at 7:19pm

The Baseline trails are located at the corner of Baseline Road and Maricamp. The address is 4255 SE Baseline Road. If you do the entire trail walking it's approximately 4 miles. I enjoy going there because people walk, ride bikes and are allowed to take their dogs, it also has a nice playground for children. This is the first time there has been an issue on the trails. They just had the March of Dimes walk for Babies last weekend.

Permalink Reply by Sunflwrgirl on May 9, 2012 at 7:37pm

This is not the first time. I believe either last year or this year there have been a few incidents where men are exposing themselves to people. It is a beautiful trail and I wish these perverts would move elsewhere and leave us alone!

Theresa said:

The Baseline trails are located at the corner of Baseline Road and Maricamp. The address is 4255 SE Baseline Road. If you do the entire trail walking it's approximately 4 miles. I enjoy going there because people walk, ride bikes and are allowed to take their dogs, it also has a nice playground for children. This is the first time there has been an issue on the trails. They just had the March of Dimes walk for Babies last weekend.

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Lavallee on May 9, 2012 at 8:21pm

oh is it the park across from the inmate farm?Thanks for answering.

Theresa said:

The Baseline trails are located at the corner of Baseline Road and Maricamp. The address is 4255 SE Baseline Road. If you do the entire trail walking it's approximately 4 miles. I enjoy going there because people walk, ride bikes and are allowed to take their dogs, it also has a nice playground for children. This is the first time there has been an issue on the trails. They just had the March of Dimes walk for Babies last weekend.

Permalink Reply by 2girlsmom on May 10, 2012 at 8:29am

And this is why I ignore anyone that trys to talk to me while I'm at these places. I put my earplugs in and jog right past. Its does matter to me if your male or female I act like I can't hear you and go on my merry way.

Permalink Reply by Gina Peebles on May 10, 2012 at 8:52am

Thanks to some walkers bringing it to staff's attention, the Marion County Sheriff's Office tresspassed him from the park.  If you do see anyone suspicious at any park, please call 911.  It is better to have a false alarm, than something awful happen because it wasn't reported.

Permalink Reply by Theresa on May 10, 2012 at 10:02am

I just came from the park and was told that he had done this before at Jervey Gantt.
 
Gina Peebles said:

Thanks to some walkers bringing it to staff's attention, the Marion County Sheriff's Office tresspassed him from the park.  If you do see anyone suspicious at any park, please call 911.  It is better to have a false alarm, than something awful happen because it wasn't reported.

Permalink Reply by Grandfloridian on May 10, 2012 at 12:30pm

i go there often but not alone it's too densly wooded to be by yourself.   i wish they would have security or something on patrol cruising around.  it's sad you cant go for a walk w/ out having to worry about being approached or worse attacked. 

Permalink Reply by Theresa on May 10, 2012 at 1:11pm

I have seen some of the staff patroling in the white trucks, I usually wave and acknowledge they are there.
 
Grandfloridian said:

i go there often but not alone it's too densly wooded to be by yourself.   i wish they would have security or something on patrol cruising around.  it's sad you cant go for a walk w/ out having to worry about being approached or worse attacked. 

Permalink Reply by Raquel on May 10, 2012 at 2:58pm

Hi!

 

This is so scary!!!  I work at Channel 6 and I would love to get the word out on this ... because this guy could come back at any time!!!  Would anyone who has met him be willing to speak to us so we can let other women know so they can be on the look out? And does anyone have a name on him?  If so, please email me at rgiorgio@wkmg.com.

Thanks so much!

 

Raquel

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Events

© 2013   Created by Ocalamom Webmaster.

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

Sign in to chat!