Police offer 5 safety tips as theft rises on Wilmington trail

The tips are intended to keep trail-goers safe in the wake of recent thefts. (Photo from Delaware Greenways)

After an uptick in thefts and attempted thefts along the Jack A. Markell Trail , the New Castle County Police are warning walkers, runners and bikers a lot to be safe.

Joan Burke, a 74-year-old resident of Bear, frequents that trail along with many others, as she’s an active member of the Wilmington Trail Club and hikes six times a week at various trails in the area.

Since she is always with others, she said the parking lot is the only time she’s had a negative safety experience, as her car was broken into once.

“’It’s scary, you know, it’s scary to come back and see your window broken and glass all over the place and not know if anything is missing,” she said. “The police came and didn’t let me touch anything for a while, so I didn’t even know if things were missing, so for me, the parking part is more worrisome than the actual hiking.”

The “JAM” Trail is 5.5 miles and connects the city of Wilmington and New Castle Battery Park, and it includes an off-road elevated boardwalk and paved pathways, the Wilmington Riverwalk, and one on-road section through Historic New Castle.

The $26 million trail was completed in September 2018.

Recently, a coalition of business, community and government leaders have pushed for several New Castle County walkable bike trails to become a seamless 16-mile loop around Wilmington.

RELATED: Loop coalition: Finish walkable bike trail around Wilmington

“We urge all trail users to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings,” the police stated in response to several investigations of theft. “Your safety is our priority. Stay alert and stay safe.”

The police offered these five safety tips:

• Travel with a partner when possible
• Keep your valuables out of sight
• Be cautious of unfamiliar individuals or activities
• If you notice anything suspicious, call 911 immediately
• Try to provide a description that is as detailed as possible

Burke and her club always hike in groups, so she’s checked that tip off the box and says adventuring with other people has definitely made her feel safe at all times.

She said that she’s found a key tip is to make sure to not keep valuables in sight.

“Some of the women leave their purse on the seat, and then they leave, and of course, if it’s there, it makes it really an inviting target for a thief,” she said, “so I tend to either bring things with me when I’m hiking or hide them somewhere you know don’t have it visible, so I thinking that’s the most important tip of those that they have listed.”