Pampa Police Department Official Press Release

 

February 27, 2008

 

For Immediate Release:

Area Law Enforcement take part in Operation Lifesaver.

On Tuesday, February 26, 2007 law enforcement officers with the Pampa Police Department, Gray County Sheriff's Department, Texas Department of Public Safety and BNSF Police take part in Burlington Northern – Santa Fe Railroads program “Operation Lifesaver”. BNSF and local law enforcement are working together to make the railways around Pampa a safer place. Through the efforts of BNSF Field Safety Support Coordinator, Jerry Rector (Amarillo), officers took turns switching out from watching the railroad crossing in their patrol vehicles to riding on a locomotive. Officers riding on the train were able to actual see what the engineer and conductors see on the train as they come through the Pampa area. Officers were able see a large number of traffic violations regarding the railroad crossings.

Officers in the cars made around seventeen traffic stops within approximately a six hour enforcement period.

According to Mr. Rector approximately fifty trains come through Pampa each day. Over the last six months we have had several accidents at railroad crossings around Pampa. This safety program was designed to let law enforcement see what may be going on around our rail lines.

It is a violation of law to disregard ANY railroad traffic signal. Some of those signals include the red flashing lights and the barrier arms even if a train is not present. The only people who can “wave” a motorist or pedestrian through a crossing, once the lights and/or gates are down, is railroad personnel or a law enforcement officer. It is also a violation to trespass on railroad property and place objects on the tracks.

Area law enforcement will continue their enforcement efforts to keep Pampa and Gray County a great and safe community to live. Please help us out by doing your part.

Posted by: Sgt. Donny Brown

806-669-5700