BNSF News

BNSF Resource Protection, Field Safety Support Work to Build Support in California Community

2009-09-21

The entire state of California has proclaimed September as Rail Safety Month, putting the importance of rail safety in the public spotlight.

In Riverside, Calif., BNSF Resource Protection and Field Safety Support personnel have prepared for the September rail safety activities with law enforcement agencies in a combined effort to raise awareness with the public about railroad safety.

Riverside is the birthplace of the California citrus industry, positioned near the Santa Ana River and known as one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.

"We've been doing an event of some kind with the Riverside police about every other month for the past year," said Scott Rust, senior special agent, Police Services. "We've gone to schools, held professional driver training for bus and truck drivers and more."

As part of Rail Safety Month, Operation Lifesaver set up a booth at the MetroLink station and distributed information on rail safety. California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office also joined in with enforcement activities in September.

Pete Aadland, state coordinator, Operation Lifesaver in California, said Rail Safety Month activities are going well throughout the state.

"Riverside is one of our major focal points in the state for conveying rail safety messages in the community," Aadland said.

"We're definitely making a difference," Rust said. "We've seen a dramatic change in fatalities, for example, and we have a better relationship with law enforcement in this area. We also believe we have a better partnership with the community, which was one of our main goals."

In spite of all efforts, the September Officer on the Train event still resulted in 112 vehicle citations, 10 trespasser arrests and nearly 200 warnings and law enforcement contacts.

"I think the biggest surprise for us was the school bus that tried to cross the tracks while the lights were flashing," Rust said. "We still have opportunities to work with law enforcement in helping to raise awareness with the public about rail safety."

Rust said this was a group effort, and he gave special thanks to Lena Kent, regional director, Public Affairs, and to Ronnie Garcia, manager, and Denise Gauthier, general clerk, both of Field Safety Support.

"This is a perfect example of BNSF'S leadership model, where different BNSF departments joined together sharing a compelling vision of reducing trespassers and grade-crossing incidents," he said.

About the photo: A Riverside police officer talks with a Riverside resident near railroad tracks during a joint enforcement activity.

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