Rusty Keyes, the Associate Vice President of Public Safety and Chief of Police at The University of Southern Mississippi, recently addressed safety concerns regarding The Longleaf Trace and urged students and faculty to take appropriate safety precautions.
The Longleaf Trace, popular among university students, Hattiesburg residents, and tourists, serves as a hub for transportation, socialization, and exercise. With access points from several apartment complexes and its designation by Southern Living as one of the eight best trails in the South as of June 2024, the trail sees heavy use, making safety a critical concern for its users.
Keyes, who became the chief of police in 2019, highlighted some of the steps he has taken to enhance safety in and around the campus including the section of the Longleaf Trace that borders the University.
“The University and University Police Department (UPD) along with the City of Hattiesburg Police Department and the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office, partnered together through a memo of understanding that gave UPD an additional 500 feet of police jurisdiction beyond our campus boundaries,” Keyes said. The MOU allows UPD to patrol as well as respond to incidents in areas adjacent to campus including the Longleaf Trace.
To help prevent incidents, Keyes emphasized the importance of using the buddy system. He recommended students and community members use the trail with friends or in groups to increase their sense of security. For those using the Trace alone, Keyes provided additional advice.
“Always be aware of your surroundings, and let a friend know that you are going and when to expect you back,” Keyes said. “Do not utilize the Trace at night, as the hours of operation are from sunrise to sunset, including the lighted portions of the Trace.”
A USM student, who wished to remain anonymous, shared a recent experience on the Trace when she felt unsafe. While running, she encountered a man sitting beside the trail. He stared at her as she passed and began walking toward her, which made her uncomfortable.
“I felt very unsafe because there was no way to help myself without having to find another person,” the student said. “I think they need a little more security around the Trace. I was lucky that I found someone else also running on the Trace who finished my run with me.”
Another student, Gabrielle Ivy, expressed similar concerns about using the Trace, particularly after dark.
“I certainly cannot walk on the Trace after sunset without being scared,” Ivy said. “It is very secluded and by the woods, so day or night, there’s no way to help yourself in a situation. I would feel safer with the presence of more light posts or emergency posts.”
Former USM student and Hattiesburg resident, Chyanne Middleton, shared a more favorable experience with the Trace.
“When walking on a path surrounded by the beauty of nature, it is difficult to feel anything but safe and comforted,” Middleton said. “Escaping the business of Hattiesburg on the Trace helps me to put my mind at ease. To me, it is extremely peaceful and comforting.”
By taking proper safety precautions, Keyes believes that students and community members can continue to enjoy The Longleaf Trace.
