STROGER ANNOUNCES COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE POLICE TO LAUNCH NEW TRAIL WATCH PROGRAM
August 20, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steve Mayberry, 708.906.1128
Today, Cook County Forest Preserve District Board President Todd H. Stroger announced that the Cook County Forest Preserve Police Department has launched its new Trail Watch effort. Trail Watch is a new initiative allowing preserve visitors to serve as additional “eyes and ears” for the Cook County Forest Preserve police force.
“Our visitors’ safety is always my paramount concern,” said President Stroger. “Our new Trail Watch program is designed to help keep our patrons safe and our lands in better condition, allowing Trail Watchers to not only report suspicious individuals, but debris, hazardous conditions and illegal activity on our lands.”
There are two ways to participate in the program. Some Trail Watchers are encouraged to use forest preserve lands as they normally would, however, they will wear distinctive vests and t-shirts identifying them as participants and can contact District police as they come across situations causing concern. Other individuals who prefer a set schedule and commit a minimum of two hours per week will also be given phones with limited direct-connect capabilities to alert District police. Trail Watchers are instructed to never confront any other users or place themselves in harms way.
“Our Trail Watch program allows concerned patrons to serve as additional eyes and ears for our officers,” said CCFP Police Chief Richard Waszak. “We’ve modeled our program after some of the best in the nation and fully expect that this will add a whole new dimension of vigilance on our lands.”
To participate in the Trail Watch program, individuals are required to apply and submit to a background check. If approved for participation, they will be contacted and given the necessary items and instruction. Applications may be downloaded here and faxed to the attention of Chief Richard Waszak at (708) 771-1005 or email pdf versions to rwaszak@cookcountygov.com.
Interested individuals can learn more by viewing the video below. Discussion of the Trail Watch program begins at 6:18.
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us on:
Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Illinois, 536 North Harlem Avenue, River Forest, IL 60305
