The attack on Lisa McIntosh in Queen's Park last week was disturbing and thought provoking.
Who wasn't impressed by McIntosh's spirit? When the young woman was attacked by two thugs she struck back - kicking one in the groin. Despite being hit in the head with a liquor bottle, she kept her wits about her and didn't even use her phone to call police until she thought the attackers had left the area.
The community rallied around McIntosh and highlighted the need for more lights in Queen's Park - although plans to upgrade the lighting in the park were already underway.
But, as McIntosh herself said, this was an isolated incident and she's more afraid of getting hit by a car in the city than being attacked in a park. Considering she was struck by a car, she speaks from very painful personal experience. But she is also informed by her experience as a police dispatcher - park muggings are rare in New Westminster.
However, for most folks, there's something much more personal and scary about being attacked by thugs in a city park than dodging cars while crossing a street. Many women still remember Wendy Ladner-Beaudry who was murdered while jogging on a park trail in Vancouver in broad daylight in the morning. Rare though these cases are, they are nonetheless chilling and can alter how we view our own vulnerability and how safe our parks are.
McIntosh is putting on a very brave face, partly, we're sure, to show support for the city she loves, partly to not worry family and friends, and also, perhaps, to show people that she will not become a prisoner of other people's fears. But there's no doubt that most people will look at Queen's Park in a different light (or lack of) for awhile. The attack happened after dark - at 6 p.m. - but that is hardly late. Many people either cut through the park around that time to to get home, go shopping at Royal Square, or take the dog for a walk.
Will more lights make a difference? Perhaps. In any case, it won't hurt.
