From Sandy Louey:
Elk Grove police and Union Pacific officials issued 12 citations Wednesday as part of a crackdown on trespassers along railroad tracks in the city.
The three-hour long sweep comes in the aftermath of Matthew Gordon-Hernandez's death. The 15-year-old died Dec. 17 after he was hit by a train while walking on railroad tracks near his Elk Grove home.
The engineer reportedly sounded the horn and applied the brakes, but the train couldn't stop in time.
During Wednesday's operation, eight juveniles were cited for trespassing, while four adults were cited for gate running, said Officer Christopher Trim, spokesman for the police department.
People should not use the tracks or railroad right-of-way for shortcuts to pedestrian or bicycle paths. The tracks are private property and shouldn't be used as walkways, jogging trails or bicycle paths, police said.
The sweep was timed for the afternoon because that is when the trespassing occurs. Train conductors also have reported objects being thrown at trains or placed on the train tracks, Trim said.
Trim said more sweeps are planned to improve pedestrian safety on the train tracks.
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