CLARKSTOWN INITIATES RAIL SAFETY EDUCATION
OUTREACH
In response to
recent fatal pedestrian/rail accidents in Clarkstown, Supervisor Alex Gromack met
with Rail Safety representatives from CSX Transportation and New Jersey Transit
to coordinate plans to bring their rail safety programs to Clarkstown.
Town officials
will be trained on rail safety education and outreach through educational programs
already in place and used by the not-for-profit organization Operation
Lifesaver, CSX and NJ Transit. By using
videos, presentations, power-point, and lectures, these programs will be
introduced into our local schools and community organizations.
Supervisor Gromack
said, “Bringing Operation Lifesaver, CSX, and NJ Transit’s rail safety programs
to Clarkstown is of great importance, especially now due to recent accidents
involving residents and the rail systems. These programs are intended to teach our
community about rail safety and help prevent more tragic accidents from
occurring”.
Terry Ludban, CSX Manager, Community Affairs and Safety, said “When
it comes to safety, partnerships are very important. CSX is pleased
that Clarkstown has asked us to participate in teaching this lifesaving
message. Trespassing on railroad
property is a crime and walking on or along the tracks is dangerous.
Working together, we will help educate the public to “Stay off—stay away—and
stay alive.”
Supervisor Gromack
will contact our local school districts and community organizations to
collaborate with the town on rail safety education.
“We appreciate the
Town of Clarkstown's commitment to rail safety, as demonstrated
by their efforts to encourage area schools to take advantage of our free,
in-school Rail Safety Program,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles. “We look
forward to their participation and are pleased to partner with Clarkstown
officials to extend the reach of rail safety education to even more students.”
For more
information, residents or organizations interested in these rail safety
programs can call the Town’s Safety Manager, who will act as the community liaison
for these programs. Safety Manager, John
Coyle can be reached at 845-639-2072.
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