Safety Just One of the Issues

 I walk and jog along South Reston's paths nearly every day, so  the Aug. 15  Reston Patch article  struck a chord with me.  What immediately flashed into my mind was the African Proverb "It Takes a Village.." 

The article addressed personal safety on the paths, something important to us all.   However,  I've faced other, less frightening, issues on the paths as well.  Ninety-nine percent of the time I experience beauty, solitude and friendly folks out for the same pleasures (along with the pains associated with trying to stay in shape).

Every so often  I encounter situations that present interesting dilemmas.  These situations often test my belief in the proverb. and  leave me with the uncomfortable decision of ignoring certain behaviors or "jumping in" with the hope of igniting some change.

Issue One:  People Walking Dogs off Leash

As we all know, this happens constantly.  One morning I was approaching a very large dog standing in the middle of the path.  The owner, leash in hand, was behind the dog at least 50 feet. 

Truth be told, I am a tad fearful of dogs, and it comes across in my behavior.  I didn't want to pass the dog and get between the owner and it.  When I stopped, the dog reacted and growled. 

The owner called out "you are scaring my dog."  I was livid.

  Most times when faced with the "dogs off leash" dilemma, I walk away.  But this time I felt justified to emphatically remind the owner that I was obeying the law and that she, having her dog off leash, was not.  More words were exchanged, and I continued on my way. 

Issue Two:  Students Skipping School

It's a 10 a.m. jog on a weekday during the school year. I  pass  three girls on the path, one of whom looks vaguely familiar, all of whom are obviously of high school age.  Do I stop and ask them why there aren't at school?  Is it my business?  What is my role as an adult in the proverbial village?

In this instance, I did stop and talk to the girls; and they said they were allowed to be off grounds.  I knew that was not true.  I called the school.  If someone saw my kids skipping, I thought, I would want them to report it.  Was it my responsibility?  I thought so.  But I told another Reston friend the story, and he said:  "It was none of your business."

Issue Three: Smoking Pot

It doesn't happen often, but I can think of three experiences of passing folks who were smoking pot on the paths.  What is my responsibility? Is it my business? When they are minors, does that mean I have a higher responsibility?  Do I call the police? 

I did confront the kids about their behavior, and I told them I was calling the police. (I have the non-emergency number in my cell phone.) The kids ran.  The police said they would send a squad car.  In the end, I don't know what happened.  Was that "none of my business?"

So the question remains.  What is our responsibility as members of the Reston community facing such dilemmas?  Do we act and possibly exacerbate the situation? Or do we move on, hoping that the behavior is isolated and someone won't be hurt later?  For me, there are no easy answers.

Elizabeth Vandenburg lives in Reston and is a contributor to Reston Patch.