Stoneham Greenway Safety

Recently I had a few people ask about the safety of a greenway through town.  Before greenways are built, there is often speculation or fear that a path might attract crime.  I re-assured people that many studies have shown this is not the case.  In fact, crime usually decreases in areas with green space. 

However, studies are not the same as first-hand experience, so I reached out to the Lexington police for more information about their experience with the Minuteman Bikepath, which as you probably know, runs from Cambridge and Arlington through Lexington to Bedford.  Captain O’Leary responded and copied several of his colleagues.  I loved the response and want to share it with the town. The response started:

“Each of us would tell you that the Bikeway is a valuable asset to the community and that the calls for service on the bikeway are insignificant when compared to the calls for service we receive generally.” 

The emphasis (bold and underlined) is Captain O’Leary’s, not mine.  He goes onto provide some great details from the Lexington experience.   There has not been increased crime associated with the Minuteman. “We have not had any more crimes on our 5 miles of bikeway in the several decades it has been in Lexington than any other recreation area in Town.” They confirmed that “we don't patrol the bikeway every day,” and that the Minuteman “has not generated any additional expenses for the Police Department”!  

Not only is a greenway a safe place for residents and that does not increase costs, it is also a benefit to police.  The response goes on to state that when they do patrol, the Minuteman “gives us the opportunity to interact with the public (the general public) on a much more frequent basis.”

It is exciting to have such a resource come to Stoneham.  Thank you to the Lexington police for helping us with the facts!