A local woman who prefers to stay anonymous wrote:
“I’ve lived in the canyon for 15 years and often experience street harassment specifically in parking lots by local men, not tourists. It’s always men in their 60s-80s cat calling, harassing or just blocking entry into businesses. It is more than just a nod or a smile. It’s not to the point the cops need to be aware of but it’s far passed just being friendly. If you are a younger female it’s very difficult to get into the post office or city center safely. I experience harassment here I do not experience in larger places like St. George or Hurricane. If [these men] were being friendly they would talk to people they know or talk to other men. It’s always older men approaching younger women It’s a town culture problem; it’s always much older men cat calling or disturbing women half their age. I think if there’s awareness it will open up a conversation of other women being like hey stop doing that. Young guys generally know not to approach women they don’t know in parking lots. If it’s more than The Springdale Sun would like to take on, I understand. Feel free to use anything I wrote without my name on it if you choose to publish it. I appreciate you listening because there really is no other avenue to be able to voice this.”