TARRANT COUNTY, Texas — Out of a harrowing attack, a positive initiative has emerged in Tarrant County.
The story of Happy + Safe Trails began in 2017 when Jesca Arnold was attacked during a routine walk at Trinity River Trails.
Arnold recounted the terrifying experience: “A man, riding his bike naked, targeted me because I was alone. He approached, and when I threatened to call 911, he became enraged, took my phone, threw it in the river, and attacked me.”
Unable to provide her location or communicate with the 911 operator, Arnold endured repeated assaults and was eventually raped and beaten. When she finally regained consciousness, she managed to persuade her attacker to let her go. She fled to a nearby neighborhood, eventually stopping a car to get help.
Her father, Don Arnold, was devastated by the news. “I received a call saying Jesca was in bad shape—her eye socket might be broken, and she was in really bad condition,” Don recalled, struggling with his emotions.
In the wake of the attack, Don envisioned creating a nonprofit with Jesca to enhance trail safety. Initially hesitant, Jesca was inspired to take action after another attack on a trail years later.
Determined to make a difference, Jesca and Don founded Happy + Safe Trails. Their mission is to establish a safety network along Tarrant County’s 100+ miles of hiking trails, incorporating cameras and emergency systems.
Recently, the nonprofit donated two “smart poles” to the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD). Valued at about $35,000, these poles feature emergency call buttons, two cameras (one wide-angle, the other with pan, tilt, and zoom capabilities), and gunshot detection systems that also detect screams. These poles are intended to integrate with Fort Worth Police’s real-time data center.
TRWD has accepted the donation and is working with the police to test the technology for compatibility. The Arnolds hope to add more poles and are seeking sponsors and donations through their GoFundMe page. They are also looking for volunteers to support the initiative.
Jesca continues to deal with physical and psychological effects from the attack, including chronic pain and PTSD. However, she and her father find solace in the progress they are making.
“You don’t trust your body or yourself after something like that,” Jesca said. “Having a system like this makes you feel safer and more relaxed, and we want everyone to experience that sense of security.”
