DELPHI — Officials in Delphi are closer to making a safety plan for the city’s trail system a reality.

The Trail Safety Task Force has been accepting donations to add lighting identification markers along the trails where two young friends were abducted, then murdered, last February. Abby Williams and Libby German were found in a wooded area not far from the trail a day after they were reported missing.

While the task force says several large donations have been made, including $10,000 each from NIPSCO, Security Federal Savings Bank and Carroll White REMC, any amount helps move them toward their goal.

“We are looking for all donations – big and small. Ten dollars is not too small to be important. The Task Force has an extensive program to improve trail safety on the Delphi Historic Trails. We’d like for many more people to become aware of the program and make a donation as an affirmation for our trail system,” said Jake Adams chairman of the Trail Safety Task Force.

In addition to trail markers every tenth of a mile to assist 911 dispatchers in locating those in need of help, lights, cameras and public WiFi are part of the safety plan.

“Lighting is a top priority around entry points,” said Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby, who said while the trail closes at dusk, lights will help police patrols and surveillance cameras on the trail.

Public donations up to a total of $50,000 will be matched by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. Donations can be made at this website, which has received more than $31,000 as of early Tuesday.

If you have legitimate information that may help detectives with their investigation into the murder of the two girls, call (844) 459-5786 or email [email protected].

Source: WTHR