Police bust railroad trespassers
Sarah Daniel
Issue date: 4/1/04 Section: News
Sometimes, Union Pacific Police issue citations and release railroad violators, Holman said. He said the typical penalty for trespassing is a $75 fine plus court costs, but it can vary by jurisdiction.
"I personally, and our department, take the position that I don't care what they fine you. I don't care if they only fine you $5 or $500, which is the maximum," Holman said. "My point is, I want to force you to remember that somebody cares about your safety and you should, too. Don't go across that crossing when the lights come on. It's not when the gates are down; it's as soon as the lights come on and that's a big misperception that a lot of people have."
According to a state statue, when the gates are opening or closing, it is illegal to cross the railroad tracks.
"When the lights come on, (the gates) are closing. They haven't closed yet, but they are closing," Holman said.
Besides public safety concerns, Holman said many people tend to park on railroad property when visiting Pine Street.
"That seems like it would be innocuous, but the property is not maintained as a parking lot and it has it has physical pitfalls," he said.
The land owned by Union Pacific along the tracks near the Washington Street crossing is eroding and there are no barriers to prevent people from parking right next to the railroad ties.
"Railroad property is private property. It can be just as dangerous standing out on the tie end as it is on the tracks or even past tie ends because the train overhangs the rails," Holman said. "People don't think about that, and they are very, very large, heavy objects and when they get at pretty good speeds, things can happen."
The Union Pacific Police district office in Kansas City employs 10 agents and covers the western half of Missouri, all of Kansas and Oklahoma. Because it encompasses such a large area and has a small staff, when the Union Pacific Police cannot be in Warrensburg, the WPD picks up the slack, Holman said.
"I personally, and our department, take the position that I don't care what they fine you. I don't care if they only fine you $5 or $500, which is the maximum," Holman said. "My point is, I want to force you to remember that somebody cares about your safety and you should, too. Don't go across that crossing when the lights come on. It's not when the gates are down; it's as soon as the lights come on and that's a big misperception that a lot of people have."
According to a state statue, when the gates are opening or closing, it is illegal to cross the railroad tracks.
"When the lights come on, (the gates) are closing. They haven't closed yet, but they are closing," Holman said.
Besides public safety concerns, Holman said many people tend to park on railroad property when visiting Pine Street.
"That seems like it would be innocuous, but the property is not maintained as a parking lot and it has it has physical pitfalls," he said.
The land owned by Union Pacific along the tracks near the Washington Street crossing is eroding and there are no barriers to prevent people from parking right next to the railroad ties.
"Railroad property is private property. It can be just as dangerous standing out on the tie end as it is on the tracks or even past tie ends because the train overhangs the rails," Holman said. "People don't think about that, and they are very, very large, heavy objects and when they get at pretty good speeds, things can happen."
The Union Pacific Police district office in Kansas City employs 10 agents and covers the western half of Missouri, all of Kansas and Oklahoma. Because it encompasses such a large area and has a small staff, when the Union Pacific Police cannot be in Warrensburg, the WPD picks up the slack, Holman said.