Safety a priority on Montour Trail
Dog chases off suspicious male who approached walker
The Montour Trail Council reassured the public that the full length of the sprawling suburban and rural trail system remains safe to use following a worrisome incident in Bethel Park late last month.
According to Bethel Park Police, officers responded to the local Montour Trail section near the Limestone Drive entrance for a report of a woman’s encounter with a suspicious male on April 24.
“When officers arrived, they spoke with a woman who reported that while walking her dog toward Peters Township from Limestone Drive, an unknown man approached her. He began talking to her and complimenting her appearance. The man then reached to touch her arm, but her dog lunged at him, causing him to run down the trail toward Peters Township,” according to a statement posted on the department’s Facebook page.
The incident is currently under investigation, according to the statement, and individuals with any information relating to the incident are encouraged to contact the department at 412-833-2000.
Trail Council President Julian Wolfe said the council works closely with local law enforcement agencies to ensure that each of the more than 350,000 visitors who use the trail annually are able to do so safely.
The council has even provided specialized training for several local agencies to ensure their officers understand the specific needs of policing a trail system.
“That said, there are incidents given that we don’t have our own police force, so we rely on our partnerships with local law enforcement to keep the trail safe,” Wolfe said.
Wolfe said the council is fully cooperating with the Bethel Park Police Department (BPPD) to provide all the information necessary to successfully complete their investigation.
“The perception or the threat of danger on the trail we take seriously,” Wolfe said, noting that any trail users who experience any danger should immediately contact the appropriate local law enforcement agency.