Decrease in crime along ‘The Loop’ since launch of safety patrol program [Video]

TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Pima County Parks and Recreation has noted a decrease in criminal activity, namely vandalism and thefts, since the start of The Chuck Huckelberry Loop Patrol Program, according to Facilities Safety and Security Manager John Stuckey.

Though there isn’t a specific data analysis yet, he said, the total number of reports has decreased over that time.

The program, launched in August, aims to enhance safety along the Loop, a popular 137-mile network of bike trails connecting Tucson with surrounding parks. It was created in response to concerns about safety and misuse on the trail.

“There’s park staff during the day — they’re doing their maintenance tasks and everything. But overnight, there isn’t a lot of presence there,” said Stuckey, who mentioned the trail’s hours are dawn till dusk.

To address this, the program deploys two guards seven days a week during evening hours, when visibility is low, to patrol the trail, adjacent …