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My family will be traveling to Sunterra Sedona Summit in a couple of weeks. We fly into Phoenix, AZ and will drive to Sedona. I am very concerned about the sniper situation. What is the latest news about this problem?
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The fact that you are flying into PHX and going to drive into Sedona means you should relax. The so-called serial sniper seems to be someone who attacks in late or early morning hours, from what I have heard, and seems to be in the Mesa area. The police are working very hard to capture him.
You will fly into PHX, pick up your rental car, and drive on highways that average 65 to 75 miles an hour, north toward Flagstaff, getting off at exit 298 for Sedona.
Be aware, alert and as I am sure you would in any strange city...but relax, don't worry, his MO seems to strike people who are alone waiting for a bus, or in some isolated time/area.
You will love Sedona! The Summit is nice and you will enjoy the sightseeing opportunities in the area.Life is short, live it with this awareness. -
bad....... but does remind me of how I became friends with another TUGger who graciously invited us out of town to their home during the DC episode several years back. One death was 4 blocks up the street from my home and four or five more were within 100 yards of my commute to work!Originally posted by katmandu... not enough time for all the timeshares ®Comment
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The serial shooters have been caught, appeared before the judge and will be prosecuted. You can rest easier now.
However, the Baseline criminal is still on the loose, and that guy is being hunted. (see this link
A word of caution to anyone visiting the Phoenix area near Baseline Rd, Phoenix/Paradise Valley Mesa/Tempe, avoid being in isolated areas, avoid jogging in the early wee hours of the morning, and don't go out late alone. Will post when there is news.Life is short, live it with this awareness.Comment
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Sedona Trip
Thanks to all for your words of encouragement. I am looking forward to my trip. I've received my book on the geology of Sedona and will not let any negativity ruin this much anticipated vacation.Comment
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Now that's the spirit! Sedona will welcome you with a beautiful sky and fabulous sunset....enjoy!Life is short, live it with this awareness.Comment
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I just confirmed a business trip to the Chandler area in September -- and I'll be able to visit a friend I haven't seen for quite awhile. However, after reading this, I wonder if I should hold off (plane tickets not booked yet). Any advice ?
Doesn't sound very encouraging for a single woman to travel there!Comment
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If you will be greeted at the airport and with your friend and follow the friend's recommendations, as well as keep out of the isolated areas that seem to attract the criminal, I would think it is fine to go to visit your friend.
As with ANY city, it is always best not to wander off alone in an unfamiliar place....Phoenix has its problems, as do the surrounding suburbs, but it is no different from other cities. Crime exists. It is best to be alert, be with friend(s), and stay away from unfamiliar or desolate locations.
The Phoenix police are hard working dedicated folks, and each city around PHX is dedicated to protecting the citizens. As with any city, common sense and awareness are your best friends.Life is short, live it with this awareness.Comment
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Thanks, katiemack but I would be alone for a good portion of the weekend.
I would arrive Fri evening, rent a car and drive to the hotel. I'd meet my friend for dinner then return to hotel. Sat morning I'd go out for breakfast (alone), do my duty at a local electronics store (1/2 mile away), return to hotel. Then spend Sat evening with my friend doing whatever she plans for us and return to hotel.
Wow, that paragraph contains alot of the word "hotel" so I guess I'll be spending a some time there
Sun would repeat breakfast and electronics store then drive to airport, return the rental car and catch flight home around 7:30.
It's basically a (weekend) business trip which I've done many times (but forced to spend evenings with coworkers, not good friends, LOL). But for some reason, probably because of all the recent publicity, I'm really paranoid about this one. Could also be because it's voluntary, not required, but I thought it would be a great excuse to see my friend.Comment
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Kitty,
What hotel have you booked? What electronics store/location (street)...many hotels offer breakfast ... Car rental is off airport, need to take a shuttle but that is straight off the airport curb direct to the rental kiosks.
I can understand the feeling of paranoia, consider how many people travel in and out of Phx each day, live and work, and commute...the one high-profile case left in the news would raise anxieties...but there are so many cities across the nation with crime, yet, folks are going about their business uninformed of the dangers. While in Phoenix, because of the coverage of the snipers and the remaining Baseline criminal, folks will of course be jittery.
If you can postpone your trip, it sounds as if you would be happier doing so...but if you give me some more specifics of where you are planning to be, I might help alleviate some of the fear, I don't know, maybe it will be of comfort.Life is short, live it with this awareness.Comment
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Again, thanks for your response katiemack. I really don't mean to give the impression that I have anything against the Phoenix area. And I'm sure I've travelled to many places that were much more "dangerous" without a second thought.
My BIL came over Sunday and when I mentioned planning the trip, he told us about catching the sniper, then went on and on about how a "rapist was still loose" and I needed to be extra careful, do I really have to go etc. etc. Then, I see this post and read some of the articles you linked and really started to get paranoid!
It's the Best Buy on East Ray Road & I was planning to stay at the nearby Marriott Courtyard.
I do still have a week or two before I need finalize the reservations.
I should just be like dimples and not worry about it, but hopefully for everyone, the police catch the guy soon.Comment
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Hi, Kitty,
Oh, no, I didn't think you were expressing anything anti-Phoenix at all.
Sounds like your BIL really cares about your welfare...that is a gift.
I don't mean to imply that dangers should be shrugged off...Phoenix has dangers, and the Baseline criminal and the snipers have made the national news, underscoring how many types of dangers PHX has.
I hope that I was not giving you the impression that you should just shrug off the realities..I take seriously the questions and concern...your concerns are valid, and I would have them too if I were to read about a city's crime wave when I was hoping to visit it alone.
If you are going to Ray Rd Best Buy, it might be too close to the strike zone for you to feel comfortable. Since you have options to reschedule, perhaps you would feel better putting off the trip until news comes that they have broken the case.
There are many Best Buys in the area....is there any way you could visit a different location?
My only hope was to offer some perspective about how traveling to any unfamiliar city brings a certain level of risk...many cities have things going on of which even the locals are unaware...and we travel in and out of them without blinking an eye, because we didn't know there were such things going on. The fact that this is in the national news makes one more aware, more nervous, and allows one to choose rather than just blindly go.
If I hear anything about this guy getting captured...I will post it asap.Life is short, live it with this awareness.Comment
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I really appreciate your help. Yes, I have a choice of stores and will PM you so that others don't have to read all the details of my possible trip
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