GOSHEN —
Operation Lifesaver volunteers want to make railroad crossings safer for both drivers and pedestrians, and frequently speak to the public about rail safety.
Thursday a local crew of Norfolk Southern employees who are volunteers for the non-profit Operation Lifesaver organization visited the crossings at East Lincoln Avenue and Ninth Street, handing out safety information to nearly 400 people.
Mark Belmonte, a train engineer from Elkhart, said the group visits with the public at crossings such as this about five times a year. This is the second visit to Lincoln Avenue this year, he said.
The Lifesaver volunteers urge residents to learn safe habits around highway-rail intersections and to stay away from railroad rights-of-way. Many of the railroad workers are certified presenters who are available to speak to the public.
Thursday the volunteers thanked and praised pedestrians who crossed the tracks at sidewalks and crosswalks, and had other words for those who walked between tracks or crossed at more dangerous locations.
Mike Johnson, a Goshen schools resource officer, said just last week he made his first announcement at the high school about the pedestrian crossings at railroads. He said those who walk along railroad tracks are subject to arrest on charges of trespassing.
Johnson said he usually gives a first offender a verbal warning, but is not above arresting a trespasser and citing him into juvenile court.
The Lifesaver volunteers have visited Goshen the past four or five years, and are seeing an improvement in pedestrians obeying the law.
“The response is tremendous,” Belmonte said.
He said Indiana is fourth in the nation in the number of rail crossing incidents, including vehicles and pedestrians. Only Texas, California and Illinois have worse records.
But the rail workers speak to the public about rail safety to reduce injuries and deaths because of these incidents.
Scott Felton, an engineer at Elkhart, said the crew spoke with an estimated 400 people Thursday afternoon at Goshen, including drivers and pedestrians.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Operation Lifesaver volunteers Mark Belmonte, Elkhart, left, and Juan Garcia, Goshen, at right, speak with Tyler LaBar, a Goshen ninth grader, who crossed the railroad tracks at Ninth Street Thursday. The Norfolk Southern workers spoke with nearly 400 people about rail safety at the East Lincoln Avenue and Ninth Street area Thursday. ROD ROWE | THE GOSHEN NEWS
Railroad employees educate pedestrians, drivers about safety
- Local News
-
-
Boys & Girls Club of Goshen says goodbye to longtime director Andy Purviance
It’s the end of an era at the Boys & Girls Club of Goshen. Andy Purviance, the long-time Director of the Club, will be saying good bye to the club and Goshen this fall as he and his wife Donna relocate to San Diego where Purviance will continue his career in Boys & Girls Clubs.
-
Goshen VFW Honor Guard helps send their fellow veterans to final rest
The heat of the stuffy May day is starting to gather outside of Rieth-Rohrer Funeral Home in downtown Goshen recently as members of the VFW Post 985 Honor Guard begin to shuffle inside.
-
Duty changes with birth of LaGrange soldier's son
Usually when people think of American veterans they think of men in uniform. More often today, than in yesteryear, the veteran is a woman. In tune with the times, the military has made accommodations for this increase in female recruits.
-
Fairfield graduates ready for the next step
Fairfield High School held its 44th commencement Friday night in its school gymnasium, handing out 145 diplomas.
-
Westview seniors graduate Friday night
Westview High School held its 46th commencement Friday night in its school gymnasium, handing out 97 diplomas.
-
RV shipments up in April
Wholesale shipments of recreational vehicles rose 9.8 percent in April compared to the same month in 2011.
-
UPDATE: Police release names of two killed in Bristol motorcycle crash
Two Elkhart residents were killed Friday night when the motorcycle they were riding crashed along Ind. 15 as they fled police.
-
Police probe possible fatal crash near Bristol
Elkhart County rescue crews responded to a possible double fatal traffic crash on Ind. 15 just south of C.R. 112 at 9:13 p.m. Friday night. Ind. 15 was closed to non-emergency traffic and a Samaritan medical helicopter landed at the scene to assist with rescue efforts.
-
Goshen teen who shot himself Tuesday arrested for using sawed-off gun in robbery
A 17-year-old male recently admitted to IU Health Goshen Hospital for a self-inflicted gunshot wound has been arrested in connection with the robbery of a BP gas station in Goshen this past Sunday.
-
Wild phlox can be found this time of year
Nature’s bounty can sometimes produce unexpected beauty in the form of wildflowers that can pop up anywhere and everywhere. They can be some of the most exhilarating because of the unusual colors, the delicacy of the blossoms, or simply their choice of location to grow.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
