Resident recounts alleged daytime attack on River Birch Trail; family urges bigger police presence

Juliet Wright addressed the Spartanburg City Council during public comment on Jan. 12, describing an incident she said occurred on Jan. 11 on the Birchwood (River Birch) Trail in which two men blocked her path and threatened her safety.

Wright said one man wore a ski mask and another blocked the trail, describing the encounter as "terrifying" and saying she believed the men were there "to do me harm." She said she ran away with her dog and that she reported the incident to police, who "are taking this seriously," and she urged the city to ensure the investigation prevents further harm.

Juliet's mother, Ellen Atencio, spoke immediately afterward and urged the city to increase visible police presence across Spartanburg — naming parks, the rail trail and the River Birch Trail specifically. Atencio said police staffing has not kept pace with what she described as recent population growth, and she questioned the effectiveness of a 2022 pay incentive that she said added $4,000 per year for officers. "A visible police presence is a strong deterrent to crime," she said.

Another commenter, Edward Jenkins, raised a separate neighborhood complaint about a neighbor running a noisy tree/yard business from a residence, reporting an incident where a vehicle drove across his yard and saying a police visit on Jan. 21 produced no apparent action; he asked staff for assistance and said he has photographic evidence.

Council acknowledged the comments, thanked the speakers and noted police presence at the meeting. No formal vote or policy change was recorded on public safety during the provided portion of the meeting; council members did ask for staff follow-up during later agenda items.