Private Security Hired To Patrol Katy Trail With Dallas Police Officers
DALLAS, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - A recent shortage in Dallas Police resources has led the non-profit that maintains the Katy Trail to hire private security to keep the area safe.
Private security officers from Ameritex Guard Services will monitor the Katy Trail weekdays, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m., and weekends, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Since the Katy Trail is a City of Dallas park, it is technically open the same times that other City parks are open – 5 a.m. to midnight.)
In the early morning, lights along the trail come on at 5 a.m. to sunrise and come back on from sunset to midnight. As summer approaches, the lights stay on later, turning off at 11 p.m. from July through September.
Security guards will patrol on bikes or a golf cart in inclement weather.
Dallas Police Department bike officers will still patrol the Katy Trail, too. But the private security guards (in bright, yellow t-shirts) will work in conjunction with them.
Aubrey Basse likes to run on the Katy Trail and when she does, she doesn't bring anything of value with her.
"I want to make it very clear that I don't have anything on me, so people don't try to take anything from me," she said.
She said she has been harassed on the trail.
"There have been a couple times where I've actually had to call police," said Basse, who is pleased to hear about the private security.
Meantime, anyone who sees anything suspicious is urged to call 911. And look out for one another!