Residents report early-morning runners blocking lanes on Lockwood; police say anonymous tip limits follow-up

An anonymous email to Webster Groves officials said that between about 6 and 7 a.m. joggers routinely run in the roadway on Lockwood — particularly at Lockwood and Rock Hill — often three to four abreast and “refuse to move over,” forcing motorists to pull into oncoming traffic to pass.

The message, read aloud at the meeting by a city official, said runners can be hard to see in the dark and on curved streets and requested increased patrols during morning rush hour and contact with people observed running in the roadway.

The police chief responded that his staff have looked into the reported area and “did have a chance to interact with a group of runners.” He cautioned that the department’s options are limited when an email is anonymous: “because it was an email that we can't necessarily follow-up with,” the chief said.

Officers told the council they can advise runners about safe practices and encourage use of sidewalks or shoulders where available, but that enforcement and follow-up are difficult without identifying information from the complainant. The chief also said his team assesses whether runners are actually impeding traffic when they make observations.

Council members noted parts of the corridor lack sidewalks, which can leave pedestrians and runners little choice but to use the shoulder or roadway. No formal enforcement policy or new directive was adopted at the meeting; council members asked staff to keep the issue in mind for patrol planning and to share any further findings.

Residents who witness roadway-running and want a direct response were told to contact the police department rather than submit anonymous messages, so officers can follow up if warranted.