RRCA

General Running Safety Tips

• Don't wear headphones. Use your ears to be aware of your surroundings. Your ears may help you avoid dangers your eyes may miss during evening or early morning runs.
• Run against traffic so you can observe approaching automobiles. By facing on-coming traffic, you may be able to react quicker than if it is behind you.
• Look both ways before crossing. Be sure the driver of a car acknowledges your right-of-way before crossing in front of a vehicle. Obey traffic signals.
• Carry identification or write your name, phone number, and blood type on the inside sole of your running shoe. Include any medical information.
• Always stay alert and aware of what’s going on around you. The more aware you are, the less vulnerable you are.
• Carry a cell phone or change for a phone call. Know the locations of public phones along your regular route.
• Trust your intuition about a person or an area. React on your intuition and avoid a person or situation if you’re unsure. If something tells you a situation is not “right”, it isn’t.
• Alter or vary your running route pattern; run in familiar areas if possible. In unfamiliar areas, such as while traveling, contact a local RRCA club or running store. Know where open businesses or stores are located in case of emergency.
• Run with a partner. Run with a dog.
• Write down or leave word of the direction of your run. Tell friends and family of your favorite running routes.
• Avoid unpopulated areas, deserted streets, and overgrown trails. Avoid unlit areas, especially at night. Run clear of parked cars or bushes.
• Ignore verbal harassment and do not verbally harass others. Use discretion in acknowledging strangers. Look directly at others and be observant, but keep your distance and keep moving.
• Wear reflective material if you must run before dawn or after dark. Avoid running on the street when it is dark.
• Practice memorizing license tags or identifying characteristics of strangers.
• Carry a noisemaker. Get training in self-defense.
• When using multi-use trails, follow the rules of the road. If you alter your direction, look over your should before crossing the trail to avoid a potential collision with an oncoming cyclist or passing runner.
• CALL POLICE IMMEDIATELY if something happens to you or someone else, or you notice anyone out of the ordinary. It is important to report incidents immediately

***The tips above are provided by the Road Runners Club of America.

Park Smart

[via murfreesborotn.gov]

The City of Murfreesboro Police Department and the Parks and Recreation Department are working together to increase awareness of park safety. Beginning in March, the “Park Smart” campaign at recreation facilities, greenways, and parks will encourage patrons to focus on a safer, therefore more enjoyable, parks experience.

“We hope this campaign will remind motorists to secure their vehicles in parking lots. An unlocked vehicle with purses, electronics and other valuables left inside is a very easy target for a burglar, who can be in and out of a car in seconds," said Interim Chief of Police Michael Bowen.

“Members of our great community visit City parks and the Greenway for wellness, recreation and to enjoy nature,” said Assistant Park Director Angela Jackson. “We should all expect to have a good experience but we also share responsibility for our own awareness—to take precautions and report problems. We are fortunate to have great police officers patrolling our parks, and the Park Smart campaign is intended to encourage park patrons to think about better ways to protect property and stay safe.”

The campaign will include posting informational signs in Greenway kiosks, at trailheads, and in recreation facilities with tips and reminders about park safety. Personnel will also distribute imprinted reminders at various locations, trailheads, and informational booths at community events, and offer tips and videos through the City website and social media pages. The preliminary message in park safety will focus on parking lot and trailhead safety: ‘Park Smart- Hide your stuff, lock your car, take your key.’

Additional communication and efforts include continued and increased police patrol, maintenance initiatives to identify and address landscaping, underbrush, or environmental considerations to increase visibility or change to chronic problem areas, and continued monitoring of lighting, restrooms, shelters, and security cameras.

Watch Commercial Here!

Everyone plays a role in keeping our parks and recreation areas safe. Help everyone by reporting suspicious activity immediately. Call police at the non-emergency number 615-893-1311. The Greenway trailheads are open at daylight and close a half hour before sunset.

For greenway usage rules go to: http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/262.
For more information on the Park Smart campaign and all park information visit www.murfreesborotn.gov/parks. To watch a YouTube video of the promotional video “Park Smart,” visit https://youtu.be/FnZ3g4NcKK8.

Printable flyer: http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2912

Contact:
Amy Norville, Police Officer
Public Relations/Crime Prevention
Murfreesboro Police Department
Phone: 615-895-3874
Fax: 615-849-2628
E-Mail: anorville@murfreesborotn.gov

Angela Jackson, Assistant Director
Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department
Phone: 615-890-5333 
Fax: 615-904-6507
E-Mail: ajackson@murfreesborotn.gov