FOW Park Safety Alert

Park Safety Alert An 84 year-old man was assaulted by four males on Monday, October 17, 2011, while walking on Forbidden Drive. While the Wissahickon is largely safe, the Friends of the Wissahickon reminds park users to follow the safety guidelines: When you park your car, lock your doors; carry your keys with you; and do not leave wallets, cell phones or other valuables in plain sight in your car. The major area of crime in the Wissahickon is in the parking lots. Be alert! Don't jog with headphones. It's not only unsafe from the perspective of crime prevention, but you won't hear bicyclists behind you or other potential problems. (You also won't hear songbirds or the gurgling of the creek.) Park users should exercise with a partner whenever possible; if exercising alone, try to avoid using the park during off-peak times. Vary your routine. If you always start your run at Valley Green at 6 a.m., try going to Bell's Mill Road or Kitchen's Lane once or twice a week. Trust your instincts. There's a sense of isolation from the city in the park that has a lot of appeal. If you sense trouble in a person or a place, leave. Please report suspicious activity by calling 911. Keep an eye on our website. FOW posts crime alerts as necessary. Important Numbers to Know If your car is broken into, call 911; report where your car is - the number of the parking lot will help - and stay until the police come. The Fairmount Park Rangers can be reached at 215-685-2172. FOW Trail Ambassadors are often in the park. Their primary role is to provide information to park visitors about the Wissahickon and report any problems they see to Fairmount Park Rangers. If you are unable to call 911 or the Rangers yourself, a Trail Ambassador can help.