Saftey on the Trail - What I "can" say

There is a lot of "tooing" and "froing" on blogs, and Facebook and Twitter about the Cedar River Trail Harasser and I do not want to add to the confusion. When and if I can say something further, you know that I will. It will probably come down through some more official channels, so keep your eyes open to other sources as well. But do note: Nobody has been charged in the alleged Cedar River Trail incidents.

Sooo, please be safe on the trail. Call 9-1-1 if anyone intimidates or harasses you and follow-up with Cyndie Parks of the Renton Police Department's Crime Prevention Unit or Terry Higashiyami of the Renton City Parks Department.Why? Because when this occurs, a case needs to be built. And we still need your help.That's where that little word "alleged" comes in to the picture.

UPDATE: 1/28 The Renton Reporter's Celeste Gracey has written an update about this case and has a copy of the Press Release from the Police included - here is the link.

Cyndie Parks
Community Programs Coordinator/Crime Prevention Unit
cparks@rentonwa.gov
(425)430-7521

Terry Higashiyami
Administrator Community Services/Renton Parks Dept.
thigashiyamo@rentonwa.gov
(425)766-0937

PS - This guy is known and identified to the Police. This is not about figuring out who he is, or publishing his name or whereabouts. It is about victims coming forward and building a case.

Police Blotter: The Cedar River Trail Harasser

He looks clean cut, an approachable and professional white male, 6 ft. 3" tall, thin and slender build, babyface and in his 30's. In the mornings from 6am til 8:30, Monday through Friday, when the world is waking and people begin their day with some exercise on the Cedar River Trail, he is intimidating and harassing the people who use our lovely local resource through intimidation by running and or knocking people off the path, cursing and spitting at them as he goes. He targets young and old, with or without dog or companion and seems to get off on taunting and provoking others into some kind of altercation with him. Worse, he lives right in Downtown Renton - he is our "neighbor".

We the community, need your help in reporting such occurrences - whether you were a victim in the recent past or if this unfortunately happens to you or a loved one next time you walk the trail. The man is known to the police, but we the public need to follow up on any incident and help us to get this "pressure cooker" off our path. Just calling 9-1-1 will not be enough to stop this individual.

The new signs that have gone up on the Cedar River Trail were distributed by the Renton Parks Department. A couple that I have been in contact with recently (who will remain anonymous), had just such an incident with a man on the Cedar River Trail one morning in winter and have been galvanized to spread the word and try to make Renton safe from someone who acts like a walking time bomb of anger and malice. Through the assistance of Terry Higashiyami of the Parks Department and Cyndie Parks of the Renton Police Department Crime Prevention Unit, the story is getting out.

The couple have been walking the trail for 15 years now, every morning and each day of the week. When the young man came upon them that morning of December 20th, they tried to avoid him, get out of his way, but when he targets you, there is no escape. The man is a verbal abuser - racial slurs, cursing and he likes to spit on you as he does so. So as the couple tried to veer out of his way, the man stiffened his shoulders and ran into them, sending them off the path. Totally unprovoked, other walkers have shared the same story. Men with sturdier builds have been his victim as well. The man seems fearless and aggressive. He has "stalked" women on the trail and seems to enjoy it. His actions are becoming bolder and more alarming as his violence escalates. The City of Renton trash cans that have been vandalized were the result of his karate style kicks (he was identified and seen by another walker of committing this act). Since reporting this, the man has changed his clothing and his hair, but he likes to circle the trail from the lake to the library and seems to be savvy enough, like Robert Di Nero's character in the movie "Cape Fear, with just what he can get away with in regards to the law.

So, what can you do? Well, if you see or are the victim of this kind or intimidation or harassment, first call 9-1-1. Please then follow this up with a call to either Terry Higashiyami of the Renton Parks Department or Cyndie Parks of the Renton Police Department Crimes Prevention Unit, who are teaming up to handle this situation.

If you have already been a victim of this type of incidence - please call Terry and Cyndie as well. They are pulling together a file and would like to hear from you. It is important - let's get this guy off the trail before something worse happens to a neighbor or a friend.

Walking groups are being formed so that in numbers, those who walk the trail can find safety. There is mention of having Cyndie Parks give a talk on "Safety on the Trail". In the meantime, please keep safe out there and don't take matters into your own hands - just call the police. I will give updates when I can.

Cyndie Parks
Community Programs Coordinator/Crime Prevention Unit
cparks@rentonwa.gov
(425)430-7521

Terry Higashiyami
Administrator Community Services/Renton Parks Dept.
thigashiyamo@rentonwa.gov
(425)766-0937

UPDATE 1/28: Our guy, who has changed his look by getting facial hair and jogging in dark clothes , "probably" got taken in on other charges the night before last, according to our Mayor, but not on the charges listed above. We still need to help call in, help the police build a case. Remain vigilant but not turn into vigilantes.

Walking off the Holiday Pounds

Cedar River trail - 60 degrees out, sunshine and a public holiday. Needless to say, the pavement was getting pounded by a few more than the regulars yesterday afternoon. New Year's resolutions and a great outing for families to take together. Whatever the reason, let's just check in with this local and lovely gem.

In the shade, there are still all the remnants of this being winter. On cooler days, the path can still be coated with a hoary frost in places that the sun never gets to shine upon.

I like the little waterfalls and special quiet moments that are a part of the meditation that is one of the benefits of walking the trail.

There are now new signs advising the public to call the police if they are harassed or bothered. I put in a quick call to see if there was any incident that caused these signs to be placed. I will keep you informed of the answer when I have it. Don't let this put you off from enjoying the area. There are more folks who come now that the dog park is in full swing. This added trail attendance can be to our advantage.

Note that if you are a regular walker on the trail (or biker), that construction along the trail begins today for the next week. Think of it as an obstacle course and use it to your workout benefit.


All the rain has given our dear Cedar River a little more girth these days. It is cresting over the corners of the walkway here and threatening to dampen our toes. But only on small stretches of the trail, so don't let that stop you from getting out there anytime soon.

Quiet Moments on the Cedar

Cool river. Hot 4th of July. Enjoy

DOG FOUND!! are you my mommy?

FOUND!!
Little Girl Chihuahua dog, found today on the Cedar River Trail. Are you her mommy?
UPDATE 7/9: Parents found, dog reunited with owners - all happy on the lost dog front. Hurray!

Hitting the trail

The Cedar River Trail - resplendent with all of its verdant landscape, is the perfect getaway from the heat and still enables you to get a little exercise in. Two for the price of one!

Blackberry bushes are beginning to bud in this heat wave we are having, and the bits of bright color seep through the leaves at the trail's edge.

This is such a well known watering hole over near Riverside Park and in these hours, in frequent use. Doesn't a dip in the cool river water sound just about right now?

More of that crafty, yarn thingy, knit graffiti bits adhered to a bike rack nearby. Cute little coziness with a little color flair.

Renton shapes up

They meet every Saturday morning on the jungle gym where the Cedar River Trail meets the southeast corner of the Renton Memorial Stadium parking lot. Carolyn is the defacto leader - though she demurely denied the title when asked. There seems to be a circuit of workout exercises, but someone in the know pairs up with a newbie, and you are good to go. There is great camaraderie here, lots of wisecracks and general bonhomie - and all are welcome. Hey, they even invited me to join!

I apologize in advance if I caught anyone there on Saturday in a compromising position. They were all tremendous good sports and I could see that there were many levels of exercise abilities at play within the group. I think it would be safe to go and give it a try - regardless your gym class proficiency ( or let's cut to the chase - lack thereof!)

After a good sweat, and a lot of groaning ( or so it seemed to me) the newly tuckered out retire to the Common Ground Cupcakes and Coffee Shop on South Third Street to have a cup of coffee and kvetch. It ain't called Pain in the Grass for nothin'!

Cedar River meets a Cotton Tree

The title on this shot is pretty self-explanatory. Looks like a river dusted with fluffy stuff. Big, white bits of river dust bunnies.

Playing at the water's edge

Seemed as if every nook and cranny of the Cedar River trail and the river's edge, as it skirts along Nishiwaki Lane was in use - families out playing, picnicking and sometimes taking a dip.

Perfect boating day - and many were aware of this. Happily aware.

Fisherman were out quietly trolling by, poles at the ready - but mostly I just saw empty nets and still hopeful faces.

This net's owner was asleep on the job - just sitting on the dock, pole in hand and deep into his snooze. Seems like a lot of extra trouble to just give yourself permission to take a nap in the sun.

RUFF!! Renton's Dog Park

This is for the few of you that may not know that Renton is soon to be the proud owner of an Offleash Dog Park that will break ground come June. The location is on a 5 acre parcel of land owned by the city next to the Cedar River Trail - in yesteryear, a brick factory, and now just hillocks and foliage with some ruins here and there. Fast forward to summer, and it will be and incredible dog park that will, I believe, bring some really cool people (and pets) plus additional revenue to our little burg -yeah!
RUFF, the name of the organization headed by Debbie Englund and Kevin Poole (Operations Committee for the dog park), has only been incorporated since March 25, but the strides that have been made are overwhelmingly quick. Just a couple of weeks ago fundraising kicked off with an event at the newly opened Vino's at the Landing, Wags 'n Wine, which netted the park a whopping $8,100. But the money still kept coming in.
The most recent email that I received a week or more ago, stated that the count is at $13,000 and the city has agreed to start ordering the construction materials for the park and change the open date from August to June. Local support for this venture has just been incredible. The city has agreed to match the funds raised by Ruff, and go even further than that, and the Renton Community Foundation has stepped in to take the role of managing the funds and this qualifies the donations now made to Ruff for tax deductions. (For those of you interested in supporting - checks can be made out to Renton Community Foundation - RUFF Fund P.O. Box 820, Renton, WA 98057)

You can become involved at any level, join Ruff on Facebook, sign up to receive the emails that are sent as updates through rentonoffleash@gmail.com or mark in your calendars that the next fundraising event will be in June at The Dog and Pony Grill and Alehouse

Rain does a body Good

I have to keep reminding myself that Spring Showers make nicer Flowers. We all grow better with a healthy dose of water in our system. Those gorgeous, blue skied days have to be paid for sometime along the way - and this is nature's payback period. I am thinking happy, coat-free thoughts and trying to remember that the weatherman is sometimes wrong.

Wags 'n Wines tonight my firends!

I have been meaning to finish this posting about Vino's at The Landing for sometime, and I have been computer challenged as of late, so unfortunately, been remiss. If you have been like me, missing your initial chance to check out this new hang in town - a place that is completely local, completely Renton homegrown - with great lunch specials that are easy on the wallet and tasty for the palate and Happy Hour with appetizers that are a couple of bucks cheaper and a wine list that is notably good - now is your time to kiss and make up.

Vino's is the site for tonight's fundraiser for the Renton Off-Leash Dog Park. It begins at 6 pm and runs until 9, tickets will be $35 bucks at the door and there will be a silent auction with some fab gifts, which is slotted for 8:30 pm. More information can be had at rentonoffleash@gmail.com or visit www.rentonoffleash.org What a great boon this park will be for both furry and other Rentonites. We will all benefit to break ground on this new project.

Right there at the Cedar River Trail

Recently on the River...

Spring - preparation time - getting ready to send our best out into the world - best efforts in a fresh new beginning.

Courtship,Cedar River Style

Sunny skies, chilly sighs