Wednesday, June 30, 1999
Police to patrol railroad tracks
A successful sweep would be no arrests
BY JANICE MORSE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON — In a way, police hope they won't find anyone to arrest late tonight in a sweep of the city's railways.
“I'd rather go out there and catch no one, because that would mean people know the word's getting out, that they're not supposed to be on the railroad tracks,” said Jeremy Delaney, a special agent for Norfolk Southern Corp (NSC).
“We're not trying to surprise everybody. In fact, we're going to a lot of the bars beforehand and putting up posters to let them know we're going to be out looking.”
About a dozen officers from the Hamilton, CSX Transportation and NSC police departments will patrol the railways from about 10 tonight until 3 a.m. Thursday.
In a daytime sweep in February, police snared more than 80 violators. That operation targeted youthful trespassers who use the railroad tracks as shortcuts.
In tonight's sweep, officers will be looking for people who might try to use the tracks as an alternate route home after a night of drinking at local taverns, said Officer Dave Crawford, Hamilton police spokesman.
“They might be intoxicated and unaware of their surroundings,” he said. “Sometimes they fall and pass out” on the tracks.
The most recent fatality on tracks in Butler County occurred May 6, when Harry McGuire, 65, of Hamilton was struck by a Norfolk Southern train as he walked near Mosler and Howell avenues. Ironically, Mr. McGuire had been among those cited in the February sweep.
The sweeps follow a rise in railroad fatalities among pedestrians — 41 percent of which were alcohol-related. Last year, eight people died after being struck by trains on Butler County tracks, and six died in Hamilton County. Each had posted just one such fatality in 1997.
Statewide, there were 54 train-pedestrian fatalities in 1998 — a five-year high.
Because of that increase, officers have boosted their efforts to educate people that it's illegal and dangerous to walk along railroad tracks or in railroad yards.
As a result, “It's gotten a lot better up there,” Mr. Delaney said. “I believe the pro-active approach has made a great impact.”
Census: Urban decline continues
I-71 relief coming, sooner or later
Ky. agency: Keep Justin with Asentes
Neighbors watch until boy pulled from pool
Saving someone you love
Heimlich advocating a property tax rollback
Implant lets a deaf nun hear again
Judge finds stomping bird was mercy killing
Helping birds get back on their wings
Teens sentenced in lemonade stand theft
This dress code targets teachers
Allen takes TV tack on DUI bill
City scrutinizes senior housing
Miami tuition hike 5.4%
Chemical spill closes Miami hall
Second St. design unveiled
'South Park:' Nothing's sacred, and nearly everthing's profane
'Wild Wild West:' Full of gadgets and gizmos, but bird-brained at heart
1,000-mile trek promotes treatment for depression
GET TO IT
Boone discusses action against adult businesses
Deal could end case against attorney
Display keeps heroes' memory
Downtown parking rates may go up - and down
Driver hits church after apparent heart attack
Ex-husband's bond $250,000 in strangling
Fen-phen class-action filed
Florence fire chief hates to go, but offer too good
Highway patrol to stop getting most cellular 911 calls
House sends Taft limited HMO bill
Police to patrol railroad tracks
Striking drivers accused of assault
Taft signs $17.2B school budget
Teen found dead in Sharonville called too friendly to be hated
Thousands expected at Colerain's July 4 bash
Time Warner cuts prices to compete in Lebanon
TRISTATE DIGEST
Two careers end today as teacher steps down
Warren adding on to Justice Center
Woman found with stab wounds in critical condition
