After three months enforcing the law as a CN police officer, Cst. Peter LeDrew is confident he’s getting his message across—railway safety is a serious business.
“At the start, there was definitely a lot of trespassing going on and I had to issue many warnings. But there has been a decline,” Cst. LeDrew said Tuesday.
“There is still a trespassing problem, particularly with school children who live in the north end and have to get to school,” he added. “That’s where the education part of it will come in.”
In February, 13 official warnings were issued while 17 charges were laid. March, on the other hand, “has been pretty quiet,” Cst. LeDrew noted.
“Things are really looking positive, and most people have been receptive,” he remarked. “People should know we’re not out there to give them a hard time. We’re out there for a reason.”
But with more and more people aware of the crackdown on trespassing, Cst. LeDrew has turned his attention to another area.
“Railroad crossings. I’ve found there’s been a good number of drivers who don’t heed the lights when a train is coming, and it’s startling,” he said.
As a CN police officer, Cst. LeDrew is empowered under the Highway Traffic Act, Trespass Property Act and the Railway Safety Act.
A trespassing fine is usually $70 while a violation of the Railway Safety Act runs around $130—and can have more dire consequences.
“It’s an arrestable offence,” Cst. LeDrew warned. “If it’s a repeat offender, or there’s some tampering with property, you can be taken to court.”
Cst. LeDrew also will be further promoting his message in schools as he recently became certified in the “Operation Lifesaver” program.
“I’m hoping to get into the schools and talk about train safety,” he said. “This could range from talking to the younger children about trespassing to talking to young drivers about other aspects.”
Cst. LeDrew also will be promoting railroad safety with a booth at the World Health Organization’s 11th-annual Conference on Safe Communities here May-6-9
In related news, Coun. Dave Bourgeault said at Monday night’s council meeting that trespassing is an issue the town will have to address sooner than later.
“I know it’s illegal but people have been trespassing for years. There’s well-worn paths that show where they’ve been doing it all this time,” he remarked.
“Now, I understand in recent months, people have been warned and even charged for trespassing when crossing the tracks. The problem is, many of these trespassers are school children and the only place to cross is the subway.
“When that’s the situation and people are being charged, it’s our problem,” Coun. Bourgeault added.
During a brief discussion that ensued, several councillors, including Coun. Neil Kabel, pointed out Kenora and Dryden have provided walkways over tracks for pedestrian use.
Being a non-agenda item, no resolutions were made Monday regarding this issue.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
