Mass Coastal Releases Monthly Log On Rail Trespassing
In a press release issued on Monday, Massachusetts Coastal Railroad reported its first monthly “Rail Trespassing Log,” highlighting all recorded trespassing incidents that occurred along its 177 miles of track in the last month. From February through March 2024, the press release said, nine individuals were reported for trespassing on Mass Coastal’s rail tracks, including at least one incident in Bourne and another in Sandwich.
Massachusetts Coastal Railroad said the release is part of an ongoing campaign to highlight safety.
“Every three hours, a person or vehicle is hit by a train in the United States,” stated Mass Coastal Railroad President and CEO Christopher Podgurski in the press release. “Unfortunately, Massachusetts is no stranger to these types of tragedies. This startling fact highlights the vital importance of using every available means to protect people.”
Two of the four incidents highlighted in the log report happened on Cape Cod. According to the Mass Coastal Railroad logs, a group of construction workers were in Monument Beach on March 12 when they illegally crossed train tracks to access a nearby convenience store. In Sandwich on March 31, an individual was observed trespassing and placing loose bolts on the train tracks. Bolts and foreign items placed on train tracks, the log report said, can cause serious risk of derailment for oncoming trains.
A public “Trespassing Report” is available from Mass Coastal Railroad, but the report highlights only four of the nine recorded incidents, saying “the report below includes the most serious and dangerous of the nine incidences of unlawful trespassing on railroad tracks operated by the Massachusetts Coastal Railroad in the last two months.” It is unclear what the other five incidents were, and where/when they occurred.
Mr. Podgurski made a public plea earlier this year to a number of police chiefs throughout Massachusetts for assistance in combating the problem of trespassing on rail tracks. In a letter dated February 23, Mr. Podgurski asked that “police departments in the communities we serve remain vigilant with regards to railroad trespassing and the enforcement of state law.”
In an interview with the Enterprise around that same time, Bourne Police Chief Brandon M. Esip confirmed that trespassing on rail tracks is taken “very seriously” by his department. Enforcement can be difficult, he said, given the length of tracks running through Bourne, but the department’s cooperation with Mass Coastal helps with responding to reported incidents and pursuing criminal charges against trespassers.
This week’s press release goes on to cite Massachusetts State Law Title XXII, Chapter 160, Section 218, which states, in part: “Whoever knowingly, without right is present, stands, walks, or rides a bicycle, snow vehicle, recreational or other vehicle on the right-of-way, bridge, or other property of, or used or controlled by any railroad corporation…shall be fined $100 or shall be required to perform a total of 50 hours of community service which may include service in the operation lifesaver program, so-called. Any person violating this section may be arrested without a warrant by any police officer, including railroad police, and proceeded against according to law.”
Mr. Podgurski is again quoted, stating that “it is critical that pedestrians, bikers and homeless individuals are aware of the dangers of trespassing on railroad tracks.”
“Trains cannot stop quickly, and they overhang the tracks,” he said. “Everyone, without exception, should remain 15 feet away from train tracks at all times. Please stay alert and only cross train tracks at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings.”
The Enterprise’s attempts to contact Mr. Podgurski were unsuccessful.
Resources, tips and statistics regarding railroad safety can be found on the Mass Coastal Railroad website safety page www.mascoastal.com/safety, or on Operation Life Saver’s website at www.oli.org.