I am saddened to see that vast swaths of the Astoria Riverwalk will remain dark for a lengthy and undetermined period of time. It is a core duty of the city that the recreation accommodations they provide to residents and visitors are safe.

Since the city is unable to do that, especially on the entire Riverwalk east of 39th Street, then the city needs to install gates and close that section at night. It would be far less expensive to do that than the inevitable lawsuit payout to a resident or tourist who could get assaulted, or worse, by the criminal element which congregates in that area at night.

The city needs to do the right thing. Now.

ROBERT HANSEN

Astoria