Caltrain cracks down on safety violators Caltrain cracks down on safety violators (July 20, 2001)

Four-day campaign results in citations, fines

By Grant Gruber

In response to 25 fatalities in the last 18 months on Caltrain tracks, Amtrak and local police departments undertook a zero tolerance safety campaign last week to prevent injuries and fatalities along the Caltrain corridor.

As part of "Operation Safe Tracks" July 10-13, Amtrak dispatched the agency's helicopter and a dozen out-of-state officers to patrol the right-of-way and stations along the line from San Jose to San Francisco, looking for trespassers and other safety violators. They were joined by officers from local police and sheriffs' departments and the new Caltrain bike patrol unit.

"We're trying to save lives with this campaign," Amtrak Police Captain Lawrence Canty said. "Last year we had 17 fatalities along these tracks and there have been eight more this year."

The safety blitz kicked off in San Mateo last Tuesday, where six of the 17 deaths in 2000 were recorded. On Wednesday, the campaign was concentrated on the 13-mile stretch of track from Mountain View to San Jose. Officers were monitoring the Mountain View station during the afternoon rush hour, where police had received numerous reports of pedestrians ignoring the gates.

"It's just a matter of time before someone gets struck by a train," Amtrak Detective John Mumford said. "We've seen people walking down the middle of the tracks. That's like playing on an airport tarmac or walking across Highway 101."

During the four days of the campaign, officers issued 248 citations. During one five-minute period at the Mountain View station, Mumford and other officers issued eight citations to pedestrians who ignored crossing gates.

Ignoring crossing gates carries a $271 fine, while trespassing on railroad property can result in fine as high as a $1,000, Canty said.

Of the eight deaths this year, four have been ruled as suicides. Most of those killed have been male adults, Caltrain spokesperson Rita Haskin said.

According to Federal Railroad Administration statistics, there were 888 highway-rail grade crossing and trespassing fatalities in 2000, including 99 deaths in California.

Officers believe safety campaigns such as Operation Safe Tracks are needed because of the reckless behavior by some individuals near railroad tracks and crossings.

"We saw one gentleman drive a truck right through the gates," Canty said. "We will keep vigilant to educate the public and prevent fatalities."

Canty also noted that railroad fatalities impact railroad personnel and thousands of commuters who are inconvenienced while the railroad is shut down after a fatality.

Aside from enforcing laws, Amtrak is working to improve safety through educational campaigns. Caltrain officials visit schools and community events and sponsor events such as the "rail safety day" at Pac Bell Park this past week to raise public awareness about the potential dangers of railroads.

Designers also work to "engineer out" problems by incorporating safety features such as inner track fencing, pedestrian crossing gates and split platforms into new station designs. Signs promoting suicide prevention hotlines and warning against trespassing are posted every 600 feet along the right-of-way, and ad safety cards and brochures are provided on trains.

"The ultimate success will be judged by the number of fatalities there will be in the future," Haskin said.

Passengers interviewed last week were supportive of the safety blitz in the hope that it will reduce the number of fatalities.

"I think it's great," passenger Mike Russell said. "We get held up every time someone gets killed, and with all the fatalities they've had, it's about time they've cracked down on trespassers."