Hackettstown Police Joins North American Rail Safety Program

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ – Hackettstown Police Department is joining forces with law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and Canada today for “Operation Clear Track” — the single largest rail-safety law-enforcement initiative in North America.

“It is important to educate the public about rail safety in order to keep pedestrians and motorists safe while using designated rail crossings and to not illegally trespass on railroad right-of-way, consequently putting themselves in danger of getting injured,” Sgt. Darren Tynan said.

Coordinated by Amtrak, Operation Lifesaver Inc. and Operation Lifesaver Canada, Operation
Clear Track aims to reduce the number of railway crossing and trespassing incidents in the U.S.
and Canada — incidents which seriously injure or kill more than 2,100 people each year. The
event is held during the annual observance of Rail Safety Week, Sept. 21-27.

“The goal of Operation Clear Track and Rail Safety Week is to raise awareness of the
importance of safe behavior near tracks and trains, in support of OLI’s mission to save lives,”
said Operation Lifesaver, Inc. Executive Director Rachel Maleh.

Because of the ongoing pandemic, law enforcement agencies will be participating in a virtual
Operation Clear Track event this year. Police and sheriff departments across North America will
be promoting rail safety through social media messages, by sharing Operation Lifesaver’s
#STOPTrackTragedies public service announcements and other videos, and by posting other
rail safety information to their department websites. Participating police departments will also be emphasizing the importance of obeying rail crossing and trespassing laws throughout Rail
Safety Week.

For more information about Rail Safety Week, Operation Clear Track, and other rail-safety initiatives and tips, visit www.oli.org.

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