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Volunteers sought to monitor Schuylkill River Trail

The popular Schuylkill River Trail, which over the last year has suffered occasional spikes in crime, winds about 10 miles through Philadelphia.

The popular Schuylkill River Trail, which over the last year has suffered occasional spikes in crime, winds about 10 miles through Philadelphia.

"It's a long stretch," said Capt. Ray Convery, commander of the Ninth Police District in Center City. "We can't be everywhere."

So city officials are looking for vigilant trail users to help improve safety conditions.

At a meeting Thursday on Boathouse Row, City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson sought volunteers to join a new Schuylkill River Trail Watch.

Convery gave the gathering of several dozen people an update on recent armed robberies targeting trail users. Last week, a 38-year-old man reported being robbed at gunpoint at night. In September, several female runners reported that a group of teens on bikes had been running into them, touching them inappropriately or verbally harassing them.

Four teenage boys were arrested last week and confessed to one of the robberies, Convery said. While the teens haven't admitted to the other robberies, there haven't been any new offenses since they were caught.

Police have increased bike patrols, but there's only so much ground the officers can cover.

"We need your help," Convery said.

Anthony Murphy, executive director of the city's Town Watch Integrated Services, said training sessions for volunteers will begin soon.

Johnson promised $1,000 for town watch vests and walkie-talkies.

The Schuylkill River Development Corp. is overseeing a new "trail location system" that will place markers about every two- or three-tenths of a mile along the trail so people can better report where they are if they need assistance.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the Schuylkill River Trail Watch can call Murphy's office at 215-686-1459.

bmoran@phillynews.com

215-854-5983@RobertMoran215