RAILWAY SAFETY: San Diego Police to Conduct Railroad Safety Education Program During Padres Game

September 8, 2010

San Diego – The San Diego and Harbor Police, in cooperation with Operation Lifesaver and the BSNF Railway Company, will be conducting an education program about the dangers of illegally crossing the railroad tracks near the PETCO Park during tonight’s Padres game.

Police officers will stationed near the 5th Avenue railroad crossing near the Gaslamp Trolley station to target people who trespass on the railroad tracks to avoid having to go around to get to the stadium.

During Padres home games, the incidents of having trespassing people ignore warning lights and go under and over parked trains increase.

As a result, the BSNF Railway Company requires freight trains to stop on the tracks for a short time everyday, which blocks the crossing.

All these create unnecessary hazards that could lead to train accidents.

The police officers will be handing out safety materials about railroad safety and will be making an announcement during the Padres games.

No citation will be issued by the police officers as the effort will be focused on information dissemination.

Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit organization whose goal is to reduce the number of train accidents in railroad crossings.