Democrats introduce Alyssa Lokits Safety Act скачать в хорошем качестве

Democrats introduce Alyssa Lokits Safety Act

Sen. Jeff Yarbro and Rep. Jason Powell introduce the Alyssa Lokits Safety Act in partnership with Free to Move, a nonprofit organization founded in honor of Lokits to promote park safety and crime prevention. The bill aligns with the Nashville-wide focus on safety in public spaces, a conversation that was elevated after Dr. Alyssa Lokits was killed while walking on the Mill Creek greenway on Oct. 14, 2024. Free to Move, the nonprofit testifying on behalf of the bill, was founded to carry Lokits’ legacy through research, education, advocacy and empowerment. “Our vision of creating a safer world is only possible when changemakers unite with us in the pursuit,” said Abby Lokits, director of Free to Move and Alyssa's sister-in-law. “If passed, the bill would affirm Tennessee as a pioneer in establishing a nationwide standard for safer parks and greenways. This is the kind of legislation that creates real change to usher in a safer future for all.” The bill directs the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, in coordination with the Department of Safety and local governments, to create a comprehensive strategy addressing park design, lighting, maintenance, signage, surveillance, programming, and public involvement. If passed, the bill would benefit 59 state parks and more than 500 local parks across the state of Tennessee. A task force would coordinate with the TDEC, DOS and local governments across Tennessee’s 95 counties and 356 municipalities to report and implement the legislative recommendations and support updates to each state park’s safety and security plan. Aligned with the bill, Free to Move will launch its 2026 Greenway Walk Audit Series, a six-month research endeavor, to systematically evaluate ten key safety and usability categories across Nashville’s greenways, in partnership with Greenways for Nashville, Metropolitan Council and Metro Parks. Beginning March 12, community leaders and locals will meet twice per month to objectively evaluate stretches of greenway together through a structured field assessment. The walk audit assessment categories echo those proposed in the Alyssa Lokits Safety Act, and include: lighting, sightlines and visibility, vegetation overgrowth, trail surface conditions, wayfinding and signage, call boxes and emergency access, user conflicts and congestion, benches and rest areas, security features, accessibility for mobility devices, and overall usability and user experience. Collected data will be analyzed to produce clear, data-driven recommendations that help create safer, more accessible greenways for everyone. For more information about the walk audit series or to participate, visit Free to Move’s website at www.wearefreetomove.org/move.