Thanks for the warning.

I usually park there when my neighbor and I ride. The last few times we have taken his truck because he seems to have developed a sneezy allergy to the fragrance of the dogs that permeates my truck. He usually parks at Tyson Park.

Until KPD gets a handle on this situation I need to encourage more of this "Let's take my truck since I can't breathe in yours" business.

Wearybottom Associates

In warmer weather, it's always nice to see KPD officers patrolling that greenway on bicycles. I've always been hesitant to park in the smaller lots along the Third Creek or Neyland Greenways, such as the one on Southerland, and the one on Neyland just beyond the UT gardens. I opt instead to park in Suburban Plaza, or at the old Bi-Lo location on Forest Park where there is more traffic. On the Neyland Greenway, that means parking all the way down at Volunteer Landing. A vehicle is certainly not safe at any spot these days, but it never hurts to park in higher traffic areas.

Hate to hear it. My son and I park there and walk frequently and have never had a problem...or seen any signs of vandalism. Hopefully if there has been a rash of problems it's just one person or group and KPD will catch them.

Terrific greenway...woods and water.

Seems like patrols of Sutherland Avenue would be more effective in protecting that parking lot than patrols of the greenway itself. A would-be vandal can see someone coming up that straight stretch on the greenway from quite a distance.

Brian A.
I'd rather be cycling.

This would be an ideal setting for bait cars/trucks. I have had my truck window broken (and the replacements invariably leak!) and wallet stolen while bicycling on the greenways in Oak Ridge. Think the police care? Ha!

This is a problem at parking areas near the Oak Ridge greenways. Apparently the "bad guys" have discovered the greenways, and have figured out what times of the day everybody is out on the trail having fun (that is, not watching their cars...).

I guess greenway users need to become less predictable.

What does gonzone mean by "bait cars"? (I can understand how a car could be bait for a vandal/thief, but how does it help in catching the them?)

-- Ellen Smith

"Bait cars" are generally equipped with video and audio recorders as well as remote control shut down devices to disable them as the thief tries to flee. Some even have remotely lockable doors to trap the felons inside. Add to that a GPS system and cops can track their movement until the bust.

Los Angeles uses a lot of them.

Wearybottom Associates

I saw one of those shows the other night. They have an undercover officer to pose as a motorist who is pulled over by police in a high crime area. He gets out of the car and has a faked altercation with the cops who remove him from the scene and leave his car, which is a model on the "most often stolen" list. Then they watch the scene from a little distance. It doesn't take long before somebody takes the bait.

Wearybottom Associates

We haven't parked there many times, but we have taken a few short walks from there and now that you mention it, there was always something weird and uncomfortable about that little lot. Like parking next to a beater that was once a nice car. Like an old trashed out Infiniti Q45 that looked like it belonged in the baddest neighborhood in town.

Guess we got to add it to our list of places to avoid. Sigh.

wanted to park there yesterday afternoon but noticed shattered window glass in the parking lot.

Bait Car videos...

(link...)

Basically what I can't figure out is why they can't use remote hidden cameras. Get a good view of whoever is doing this then place the photos on the internet.

(link...)

Sutherland has two parking lots that connect to Third Creek Trail. One which is seldom used is between the National Guard Armory and UT's Sports Field on Sutherland. With businesses across the street I doubt it's had any problems. You do have watch out for UT vehicles using the trail when the Sports Filed gate is closed.