By ROD ROWE
THE GOSHEN NEWS
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.
