KPD searching for suspicious man with knife on West Knoxville greenway � Knoxville News Sentinel

KPD searching for suspicious man with knife on West Knoxville greenway � Knoxville News Sentinel

“A woman reported she was walking on the greenway and saw a male holding a knife behind his back as he walked behind another woman,” the release states. “The women asked the man what he was doing, at which point he fled westbound on the greenway (toward Gallaher View Road.)”
Numerous patrol officers, including several with bicycles, converged on the area. They spoke with multiple witnesses, but were unable to locate the suspect, the release states.

 This is the third greenway incident victimizing women in two months. What's happening here?  Knoxville Police has bicycle patrols - should there be more officers on bicycle?  Have you ever felt unsafe on the greenways?  What would you do if you saw a suspicious person?

I will say at a recent visit to the Holston River dog park, I saw a man acting aggressively towards other park visitors.  While several visitors simply hoped to avoid a confrontation, because I was at the dog park I saw that the man harassed several people.  While each visitor may have thought it was a single incident - I witnessed a pattern.  When police arrived, the man was arrested and had apparently been drinking and was under the influence.

So if you see something - say something.  Keep the KPD saved in your phone - or just use 911.  This incident could have escalated if someone had not been watching out for the fellow legitimate park users.

Report anything suspicious - you are a key part in making Knoxville area parks safe for everyone to enjoy.

Streetscape renovations for Gay Street begin Tuesday | wbir.com

Of note:  Streetscape renovations on the remainder of Gay Street.

Personally I'm a bit annoyed that the Gay Street Viaduct was raised for Norfolk Southern to bring through extra-tall trains, the same as what's happening at the Broadway Viaduct.

It's not a Greenway, but this is a bike route to North Knoxville from downtown.  And, conceivably, to my home in Parkridge.  I don't tend to go this route to campus because it involves many hills, more traffic, and intersections than I care to encounter on a bike commute.

However if roads are improved faster than greenways, then I am grateful for any road project that makes a street seem more like a "Greenway."

Ideally, any analysis done on "Greenway Corridor Feasibility" will look at these types of connections - where low traffic, safe and scenic streets can serve as a "Green Street" if not a "Green Way."

Streetscape renovations for Gay Street begin Tuesday | wbir.com:

Crews will be putting in more landscaping, better street signs, and more lighting.
The city council approved the changes back in June. They also voted to improve storm water issues in the area. 

At times, crews will have to shut down traffic to one lane typically between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Construction is expected to last until the end of the year.

Some buildings have sat vacant for years.  I'll be interested to see if this enhancement by the City generates any additional development in this block.