CYPRESS : Bike Path Behind Homes to Stay Open

The City Council has decided to leave a bike path open despite complaints from residents that criminals were using the trail to make their getaway.

After hearing testimony from people who use the path, the City Council decided to study various options to make homes in the area more secure instead of closing the trail.

“I am willing to take one last step by trying to raise the fences,” City Councilwoman Cecilia L. Age said. “But if I see it back on the agenda again, I will have no problem closing it down.”

The council directed the city’s staff to look into how much it would cost the homeowners to increase the height of the wall separating their back yards from the trail. The staff will also study the possibility of lighting the area. Some homeowners said they would be willing to pay for such improvements.

The path, which runs along the county-owned Stanton Flood Channel, abuts homes in the College Park housing development between Valley View and Knott streets.

In February, a contingent of residents presented a petition to the council claiming that criminals were using the bike path as an escape route. “I realize that crime is everywhere, but our privacy is invaded,” Pam Berg said. “It is not safe.”

However, Police Chief Daryl Wicker disputed their claims. He presented statistics showing that their area is no more crime-ridden than others in the city. He said six crimes--three burglaries and three robberies--were committed in the area in a two-year period.

“There is crime everywhere, not just in your area,” said Councilwoman Gail H. Kerry before voting. “I do not see anything to justify closing the bike path.”

This week’s vote was not the first time the one-mile path has come to the council’s attention. In 1981, residents asked to have the path closed because of trash and other debris left by people using the trail. After a survey concluded that a majority of property owners opposed the closure, the council decided to leave the path open.

In 1985, residents asked for security lighting for the path, but the council rejected that idea as too expensive.

Jim Hill, acting director of public works, is expected to report back to the council within three months about the cost of raising the wall and lighting the area.