Police: Someone Is Leaving Dangerous Booby Traps On Trails In Wayne
WAYNE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - Dangerous booby traps were recently discovered along a popular hiking trail in Passaic County, New Jersey.
As CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported, the traps were discovered in High Mountain Park, and whoever left them will be in serious trouble if found.
Rohit Sharma takes a run with his dogs nearly every day in High Mountain Park, located near William Paterson University. He was sickened to find out that someone has placed the booby traps on trails used by hikers, mountain bikes and pets – clearly with the intention to do harm.
"People go to these trails to seek peace and solitude away from the urban environment so to speak, and people that do that are just horrible people," Sharma said.
Police said in late June, a frequent hiker began discovering wooden boards pegged with screws and nails hidden under leaves or mud, barbed wire strung across pathways, and broken bottles placed along hiking trains.
"I think someone is sick, to take the time to walk through the tracks and put things that would destroy people or their property," said park visitor Annette James. "That person needs to be accountable -- held accountable."
"It's disturbing," added Kim Figueroa.
Figueroa, of North Haledon, was visiting the park with her daughter and was disgusted to hear about the booby traps, CBS2's Jessica Layton reported. So were police.
"Trying to harm somebody intentionally -- a child, an innocent party that's walking; enjoying nature; riding a bicycle -- that's reprehensible behavior," said Wayne police Capt. Laurence Martin.
Wayne police said a frequent visitor to the park first made the discovery in June. He has been removing the materials since then and finally called police Wednesday night.
"I think a couple weeks ago for the first time, I found a nail," said trail supervisor Bob Simpson. His head was spinning -- wondering who could do something so cruel.
"Very angry yes, and they ought to be in jail," he said.
Police said they are depending on the countless people who frequent the park to find out who is responsible.
"What we're looking for is if anybody saw anything suspicious -- people carrying things in; carrying things out; had a dispute with somebody or encountered them on one of the trails and they failed to report it because it was over with -- just come forward," Chief Martin said.
Louis Walden and his dogs take weekly hikes in High Mountain Park.
"It's terrible," Walden said. "I can't imagine that someone would want to hurt people, or in this case it looks more like animals."
Walden said he is extremely nervous after the booby trap discoveries.
"My dogs need to run, so I'm reluctant to come. When you see something like that, do I want to come back? And maybe that's what whoever is doing his wants you to do," he said. "You just have to be careful and watch."
And Figueroa and her daughter will not just be looking over their shoulders.
"It seems you're not safe anywhere you go, even if you're going on a local hike," Figueroa said.
As of late Thursday, no one had been hurt by the booby traps. But with 1,200 acres to explore, there was no guarantee that all the traps had been found.
Some visitors said they would feel safer if there were surveillance cameras along the trails.
