Trail Safety Outdoors

• By PFC Katy Defoe, Reston District Station, Fairfax County Police

With the weather getting nicer, more of us will venture outdoors to utilize the many miles of trails nearby, including the Reston Association trails and the W&OD Trail. There are some key safety habits that we should practice every day:

• Be alert, walk with confidence. Know where you are going and an alternate route to get there.
• Be aware of your surroundings. If you think something is out of the ordinary, it probably is.
• If you are using headphones, make sure the volume is not up too high so you can hear what’s going on around you.
• Have a plan. Let someone know where you are going to be and what time you think you will be done. 
• Carry your cell phone. Be prepared for anything.
• If you see something and think you should call the police, CALL. The non-emergency number for the Fairfax County Police is 703-691-2131. Any suspicious activity should be reported immediately. If there is an emergency call 911.

If there are reports of suspicious activity on a trail the Reston District Station officers will respond. Officers in Reston have many resources on hand to investigate incidents on the trails like the Neighborhood Patrol Unit on bicycles and the Kubota, an all-terrain vehicle. Officers also know the trails and walk them in certain areas while on patrol.