Over the past few months, sporadic stories have appeared on local news stations about women being accosted in the Cherry Creek Shopping Center or followed from the mall to their homes and robbed. This is a new one though, that should make everyone try to be more aware of their surroundings and avoid poorly lit streets.

A group of friends were enjoying at evening out at Cherry Creek North when they were attacked at gunpoint while walking to their cars, police said. The attack occurred at about 9:30 p.m. Friday night on Milwaukee Street between Third and Fourth Avenues. Police say two men armed with guns forced the two couples to give up their purses and wallets before they ran away. One of the victims was punched in the face. Police have not arrested any of the suspects.

What's unusual is that there were four people, including two males, that it was Cherry Creek and that it was at 9:30 p.m. One solution may be for more restaurants to use valet parking. Perhaps, those on the the same block could join together and share one service. That way, customers wouldn't have to walk more than a block or onto a neighboring side street to reach their vehicles. Others may disagree, but I'd rather see the locals try and secure the neighborhood themselves, than see a police presence on every block.