NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
*************************
ESSA TOWNSHIP - The Nottawasaga Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is announcing a two-week long initiative with members from the Canadian Pacific Police Service (CPPS). The purpose of the initiative is to educate the public on the Rail Safety Act and the Trespass to Property Act as it relates to the railway in Essa Township, Ont.
The collaborative safety initiative will run from Thursday, April 22, 2021 through to Wednesday, May 5, 2021, along Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) property in Essa Township.
Recently, the Nottawasaga OPP has responded to several calls from concerned members of the community about people trespassing on the railway tracks. This is extremely dangerous and could have dire consequences.
The Nottawasaga OPP and the CPPS would like to remind the public that taking a shortcut across train tracks or walking on the tracks is dangerous, puts lives at risk and is illegal. All CPR, including rights-of-way and structures, like bridges, are private property and subject to railway trespassing laws.
The community of Essa Township will see CPPS and Nottawasaga OPP patrolling the area over the next two weeks distributing rail safety information provided by Operation Lifesaver (OL) and, when necessary, enforcing railway trespassing laws to deter unsafe behaviour around railway tracks and trains.
Safety tips near the railway to be mindful of:
- Don't bike down or near the tracks
- Don't use railway tracks or the adjoining right-of-way as an ATV path
- Never walk on railway bridges
- Keep your dog on leash at all times around railway property
- Only cross tracks at railway crossings. Railway lines are private property, and walking on them constitutes trespassing. The only safe, legal place to cross a rail line is at a marked grade crossing
- If your vehicle is stalled on the tracks get out, get away. Call 911
- Stay alert around railroad tracks. Refrain from texting, headphones or other distractions that would prevent you from hearing an approaching train
For more information please visit www.operationlifesaver.ca.
"We welcome this opportunity to collaborate with our policing partners for this proactive safety initiative. The goal is to ensure the safety of our community members while near our Canadian Pacific railway properties," said Inspector Steve Ridout, Nottawasaga Detachment Commander.
*************************
