The sheriff of Burlington County says the NJ Transit River line has become an unwitting accomplice in gang activity all along its route.

New reports show gang activity is present in nine of 11 counties the River line hits. Burlington County Sheriff Jean Stanfield says gang members are using trains to get to and from crime scenes. Stanfield says it's easy to hop on and off the light lines and make a clean getaway after ripping someone off.

"We have a number of incidents where we know a criminal has used the light rail to come or go to or from a crime scene," says Stanfield.

The sheriff has applied for state and federal funding to increase security on the line. She's hoping to get a chunk of $13.4 million that Gov. Jon Corzine has set aside for anti-gang initiatives.

NJ Transit officials are supportive of Stanfield's efforts. A statement from an NJ Transit spokesperson says additional security would "provide additional eyes and ears to add to the comfort level of our customers."