Greenway patrols increase after string of cyclist robberies

Minneapolis police officers, private security personnel and volunteers with the Midtown Greenway Coalition will be out riding the popular Greenway bike trail this weekend.

The increased presence on the Greenway is in response to three robberies on the bike path earlier this week. Midtown Greenway Coalition executive director Soren Jensen said the volunteer patrols, called Trailwatch, have been in place for five years and have helped make the Greenway a safe place to ride.

"There are over a million rides taken on the Greenway each year," Jensen said. "And on average, we only see two or three robberies, and in fact we hadn't seen a robbery for well over a year. So this is unfortunate. It's, for the most part, unprecedented to have three in a row."

Jensen said more volunteer riders are welcome to join. Trailwatch volunteers patrol the Greenway all year round.