Is it really?

At first glance, this headline in the Dec. 3 Dayton Daily News, might give the appearance that the city has had some success with recent crime-fighting efforts:

"Miami Valley one of the safest places to walk"

And to read the first paragraph, you might think Dayton's bike paths are one of the safer places to walk:

Walking is the most dangerous way to get around in the United States, according to a national study released Thursday, but the Miami Valley, with its network of recreational trails, has one of the better safety records.

But alas, this story is NOT praising the virtues of safety from criminal attack on these bike trails. Rather, this is a story about how fewer people get hit by cars in Montgomery County.

It might help to put the headline above in a proper context by viewing these two recent headlines:

Dayton Man Robbed On Bike Path

Dayton Jogger Raped on Bikeway

Is is really so safe to walk Dayton's bike paths? Oh sure, you might not meet up with the front bumper of a car, but you might well meet up with an armed criminal.

And if certain Ohio newspaper editors, city mayors and anti-gun legislators have their way with proposals to allow concealed carry to be banned on public property and in city parks, you'll be completely unable to defend yourself when you do.

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Columbus Dispatch finally finds ''CCW legislation'' it likes, and it's D.O.A.