{"id":479203,"date":"2025-12-30T04:13:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-30T04:13:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/479203\/"},"modified":"2025-12-30T04:13:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-30T04:13:11","slug":"river-walk-visitors-share-safety-concerns-as-downtown-prepares-for-busy-holiday-events","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/479203\/","title":{"rendered":"River Walk visitors share safety concerns as downtown prepares for busy holiday events"},"content":{"rendered":"

SAN ANTONIO<\/strong> \u2013 The San Antonio River Walk is expected to be a popular destination over the next several days.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, the city will host Texas Christian University and the No. 16 University of Southern California in the 33rd annual Valero Alamo Bowl<\/a>, followed by the annual New Year\u2019s Eve party<\/a> on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n

With so many visitors expected, are they worried about safety?<\/p>\n

It is a question that was asked after a man\u2019s body was recovered<\/a> in the San Antonio River on Monday morning near Pearl. Locals and visitors told KSAT the discovery was concerning, but they still feel safe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was surprised. I normally don\u2019t feel like I\u2019m in danger, especially around here,\u201d San Antonio resident Medeli Sandoval said.<\/p>\n

Brook Dowdy from Nashville, Tennessee, said Monday\u2019s discovery is unfortunately common nowadays.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m from Nashville, so we have Broadway accidents in the Cumberland River all the time,\u201d Dowdy said. \u201dIt\u2019s usually a homeless person or somebody that\u2019s overly intoxicated.\u201d<\/p>\n

The San Antonio Police Department said that, primarily, the discovery does not appear to involve foul play or criminal activity.<\/p>\n

Visitors told KSAT that it is important for people to follow well-established safety measures. <\/p>\n

\u201cI pretty much always have my pepper spray on me at all times, and then I don\u2019t ever walk at nighttime when it\u2019s super dark by myself,\u201d a woman, who wished to remain anonymous, told KSAT.<\/p>\n

Isabella Castro said crime is not exclusive to the River Walk and that she is mindful of what she needs to do to be safe wherever she goes.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just kind of like the experience of being a woman,\u201d Castro said. \u201dLike, you know, I do the same precautions everywhere I go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some expressed concern that railings do not cover the entire edge of the River Walk, especially with large crowds and possible drinking during upcoming celebrations.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Nashville, we don\u2019t have a railing either, and I mean, people do just you get too close you tip off,\u201d Dowdy said. \u201dI mean, you know, you\u2019re taking pictures if you don\u2019t realize how quick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI try not to walk on the edge just for that reason, I do think it is a concern,\u201d Sandoval said.<\/p>\n

San Antonio local Sophia Cabaza said all visitors, especially those walking along the River Walk near downtown proper, may want to be more vigilant about their surroundings because the pathways are narrower and it is more difficult for crowds to move.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s worse, the further downtown you get, the narrower it gets,\u201d Cabaza said.<\/p>\n

Hudson Hooper, who is visiting the Alamo City from Fort Worth, said, \u201cIt would be super easy if you weren\u2019t paying attention to make a wrong step and maybe get a little wet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hooper, like others KSAT spoke with, said safety along the River Walk, as anywhere else, starts with individuals. He added that a law enforcement presence on the River Walk would help boost the sense of security.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the police presence here on the River Walk is enough to be on the lookout for things like that,\u201d Hooper said.<\/p>\n

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