(The following story by Debbi Baker appeared on the San Diego Union-Tribune website on September 8, 2010.)
SAN DIEGO — As the Padres game gets underway Wednesday evening, police will be conducting an education blitz to warn the public about the dangers of illegally crossing railroad tracks near the stadium downtown.
From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., officers with San Diego and Harbor police and BNSF Railway Company will be targeting trespassers who use the 5th Avenue railroad crossing and often go around, under and over trains that are stopped on the tracks, said Harbor Police Sgt. Dave Fouser.
The highly-trafficked crossing is across from the convention center and near the Gaslamp trolley station. It is especially busy during Padres home games when thousands of baseball fans head to Petco Park.
BNSF train operations require that the freight trains stop on the tracks for a short time everyday, which blocks the crossing, Fouser said.
People who don’t want to wait find other means to go around and ignore the warnings lights, crossing gates and bells creating hazards for themselves and others.
Officers on Wednesday will hand out rail safety material. No citations will be issued. There will also be an announcement during the Padres game and an informational booth at the stadium.
The effort is the project of Operation Lifesaver, a nonprofit organization aimed at reducing the number of incidents at rail crossings.