SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Ecology North wants emergency phones installed on the city's busiest trail to make residents feel safer when using it.

Doug Ritchie, program director for Ecology North, stands on the Pat McMahon Frame Lake Trail at the beginning of a stretch of the trail, about 400 metres by his approximation, that is currently without lighting, creating a dangerous and unnerving environment for people wishing to use the trail at night. - Andrew Livingstone/NNSL photo

Safety and security, among other things, were front and centre Tuesday night at a public meeting regarding the Pat McMahon Frame Lake Trail, where city council candidates and the general public weighed in on how the trail can be improved.

"Some people have been dissuaded of using it because of a variety of events reported in the (media)," said Doug Ritchie, program director for Ecology North, adding the group is trying to find a way to bring comfort back to residents who are scared off because of past problems.

"It's a great place to recreate. It's a great place to essentially go from one part of town to the other. It's a super part of town."

Richard Makohoniuk, a representative from NorthwesTel in attendance at the meeting, said implementing an emergency phone system, called the bluelight system, would be something they would consider doing.

"Joggers don't take cellphones with them," he said, "When I jog, I try to keep my pockets relatively empty."

He added the system would make people more comfortable using the trail at night.

The bluelight system is a series of emergency phones set up in an area where the chance of danger is considered high. The phone is attached to a blue light structure that – when the hand is picked up – triggers a light response from emergency personnel.

"A lot of campuses across Canada and the States use these blue light systems," Ritchie said. "They look like an ordinary phone and they have a light on top and if someone is in trouble or feels concerned they can communicate with someone."

Fears of vandalism and abuse were raised by some in attendance, and Ritchie said this would be something they would have to address.

"It's a legitimate concern and we have to make sure if we put them out there that they aren't abused," Makohoniuk said.

"There are going to be false alarms, but if there are 10 false alarms for every one real one, it's worth it."

Ritchie said this system should be "seriously considered" for the trail, even if it's just a pilot project to see how effective it is.

RCMP Const. Kathy Law, on Wednesday morning, said the idea of emergency phones is a good step forward in protecting residents who use the trail, but her main concern would be who was going to take care of it and who would respond to calls. Since Municipal Enforcement officers don't work round the clock, it could fall on the RCMP to respond.

Law did say it's important for residents to continue using "common sense" when it comes to the trail.

"It's best if people walk on the trail in groups," Law said. "I wouldn't recommend anyone be down on the trail at night."

Since June 2008, there have been three sexual assaults reported on the Pat McMahon Frame Lake trail.