PALO ALTO, Calif. (KCBS) -- Palo Alto's Track-Watch patrols are running short on cash. KCBS reports the call is going out to members of the community to help support the program aimed at preventing suicides on CalTrain's tracks.
The group needs $150 thousand to continue paying private security guards to watch the crossings overnight.
KCBS’ Matt Bigler reports
The Track-Watch program was formed last year in the wake of several high profile teenage suicides. Many of the track watchers are volunteers, but Victor Ojakian, former mayor and suicide prevention advocate, says private security workers were also hired by the city with the understanding that the costs would eventually be covered by private donations. Ojakian says that time has now come.
"It's a group of basically parents who just came together on an ad hock basis. My own responsibility was to make sure that I gave some money because I want that security force there and I hope other people there think like I do," said Ojakian.
So far, they've raised about $70 thousand.
Meanwhile, CalTrain is working to upgrade fencing along the tracks, as well as educating the media on how to cover suicides. CalTrain spokesperson Christine Dunn says they will be working with the city to upgrade the fencing and that pictures of the suicide scene shouldn't be shown on TV.
"Not that they shouldn't cover it them, but there's a right way to do it and a wrong way," Dunn stated.
Last month a 19-year-old Gunn High School graduate killed himself at a train crossing that was not being monitored.
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