After rail stabbing, Charlotte must ask if it’s doing all it can to protect women | Opinion

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - Emma Hynek

Following Iryna Zarutska’s killing at Charlotte’s light rail station, calls have come for increased security on public transit. This is clearly necessary, but we should look at the larger issue: Do women in Charlotte feel safe? Many, if not most, women have one of “those” stories. A story about an uncomfortable or dangerous encounter. We have all been harassed, approached, followed or attacked at some point. Just look at social media. Countless videos posted by Charlotte women warning others to avoid certain places have gone viral.

This is dismissed as an unfortunate fact of life for women, but last week, we saw what it can escalate to. We shouldn’t be waiting until someone is dead to take action. Women’s safety needs to be a priority in Charlotte. It’s unacceptable that we’re scared to shop, run on the greenway or do things alone. Charlotte needs safer public transit. That is just the tip of the iceberg. What other actions are going to be taken in the wake of Friday’s tragedy? How are we going to create a safer city?

Emma Hynek, Charlotte

Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article311860004.html#storylink=cpy