Volunteer Track Watch

Caroline Camhy Rothstein
Track Watch Volunteer Coordinator

The following is a request for volunteer assistance by a group of community members seeking to deter suicides at the train tracks by posting volunteers at key Palo Alto crossings. This is not a Gunn PTSA sponsored organization or effort, nor is it sponsored by the Palo Alto Council of PTAs. It is an affiliation of concerned community members whose effectiveness will have greater potency with a broad base of volunteer assistance.

Dear parents,

We are writing to ask you to join the Volunteer Track Watch.

This is a volunteer track watch group which has been organized to deter suicides. You can help by signing up for a short shift watching the tracks.

The effectiveness of a presence at a site that is a suicide hot spot has been researched and documented. Prevention by deterrence at a hot spot is likely not only to stop a suicide there, but may also prevent the suicide altogether.

Volunteers through our effort must be over the age of 21. Volunteers monitor the tracks by sitting or standing on the sidewalk with a cell phone to call the police. We do NOT attempt to take anyone from the tracks.

This program will be developing as we get more volunteers and can expand. For current information or to sign up for a shift please write to hopepaloalto@gmail.com or visit paloaltotrackwatch.weebly.com. Please indicate that you are a parent interested in participating.

Sincerely,
Caroline Camhy Rothstein
Track Watch Volunteer Coordinator