Police: residents key to solving trail's problems

Authorities who patrol the Old Plank Road Trail are seeking help from residents in hopes of curbing the trail's nearly decade long problem with unauthorized snowmobiling and late night trespassing.

The 21-mile trail located along the abandoned Michigan Central Rail Road stretches from New Lenox to Park Forest and has been a popular spot for bikers and hikers since it opened in 1997. However, residents who live near the trail say they've spotted bicyclists on the path at 3 a.m., unauthorized off-road vehicles and even fistfights.

In an effort to combat those problems and find solutions, the New Lenox Police Department, Forest Preserve District of Will County and Will County Sheriff's Office hosted a 75-minute open forum in New Lenox Thursday, Dec. 4.

"If you call us with a problem we'll be happy to address it but we need your help — you need to be our eyes and ears," Will County Forest Preserve District Deputy Chief John Mead told the 20 residents at the forum. "We need to hear your complaints and concerns so we can take care of the issues. My goal is that we come back here a year from now and our meeting is only 15 minutes long."

A handful of residents spoke at the forum including Barry Pfeifer, who questioned how often there is police presence at the trail. "I don't see any patrol," he said. "We've had a lot of damage done to our home [by people on the trail] and by the time we call the police and they arrive the kids are gone."

Deputy Chief Mead said the Forest Preserve has four officers on shift to cover 20,000 acres of land during the day. Police regularly patrol the trail, he said. Mead added the Forest Preserve District would be happy to have an officer in an unmarked squad parked on a resident's driveway if the homeowner granted permission.

Although the trail is open from dawn till dusk, a few residents told police they've spotted snowmobilers after dark and bicycle lights on the trail in the middle of the night.

Starting next summer, the sheriff's office will have a bike patrol unit to monitor the trail and penalties are already in place for those caught with snowmobiles and off-road vehicles, Mead said. The first offense is a written warning and the second violation is the confiscation of the vehicle, he said.

"I hope after tonight we can work together to resolve these issues," Mead said. "I think you are going to see a change."

Anyone with concerns about the trail or to report suspicious activity should contact FPDWC Patrol Officer Steve Dow at (815) 727-8700 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Mead at (815) 722-5917. The New Lenox Police Department can be reached at (815) 485-2500.

Source: http://www.newlenoxpatriot.com/Articles-c-2008-12-11-188812.112113_Police_residents_key_to_solving_trails_problems.html

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