For many women, running alone on Charlotte’s greenways comes with an unsettling risk – a reality made worse by the increased sense of danger in remote areas.
Blue light boxes, which for years were a common sign of security, have now become increasingly unnecessary with the common presence of cell phones. They are now more often locations for pranks rather than beacons of safety.
According to a recent article in The Charlotte Observer, many run clubs and organizations recommend having a phone and identification with you, in addition to informing someone whenever you go out.
But some women are thinking about self defense. Jodi Fisher, the founder and CEO of Go Guarded used her experience in law enforcement to create a product that is easy for women to use and carry while exercising.
Previous products had come up short. Fisher expressed her surprise when she was researching products and only found pepper spray. She says that the product is difficult to use and points out the multiple that go into using it for self defense, like wind direction, aiming, and the difficulty of wielding it while being attacked.
This led her to create a product that is easier for women to use and carry while exercising. The Go Guarded ring, which comes in five different colors, is just one of many self-defense products sold by her company. With a protective rubber sheath to prevent exercisers from accidental harm, it is perfectly designed for exercisers looking for an extra level of protection. “It just breaks my heart every time I see a runner kidnapped, murdered, assaulted, and I just think, ‘Gosh, if they had a Go Guarded ring… just any self defense product… would the story be different?’”
“Criminals don’t want to get caught, and they don’t want to be injured,” says Fisher.
According to Mecklenburg County’s park and recreation, there are 432.6 miles of trail in Charlotte alone. Because of the large amount of greenway and the difficulty in monitoring every mile, the county has future plans to install additional mile location markers. When dialing 911, a runner is told to share the greenway name and the closest mile marker to help quicken emergency response time. It also creates easier navigation for trail users. The signs were added throughout 2024, and they will continue to be added in the coming years.
Fisher agrees that it is important to be aware of your surroundings. “One of the best things we can do for ourselves is just be cognizant,” she says.
Attackers seek out easy targets—those who appear weaker and more vulnerable than themselves. Women are often targeted due to biological differences. By creating self-defense weapons designed specifically for women, Fisher believes it is possible to balance the power dynamic, giving women runners a better chance to defend themselves.
In theory, the idea is straightforward; confidence is key. That’s not always easy, though, and Fisher hopes that having a Go Guarded or other type of self-defense product can make the challenge a little less daunting.
“This is awful that we have to take all these precautions, and it’s not fair. It’s unjust,” she says. Frustrated, Fisher says that women need to know they are worth fighting for and be constantly aware of their surroundings. “Have that attitude,” she says. “Have an attitude that you are a badass…you are worth fighting for.”
Queens University News Service
