Education and barriers--it was a common refrain expressed by neighbors, relatives, concerned residents and elected officials attending a special train safety meeting Thursday night in Villa Park.
Both residents and representatives from various agencies said the message that train tracks are "a dangerous playground" need to be increased through schools, library and park programs, community brochures, as well as around the dinner table.
"You have to reinforce that message," said Chip Pew of the Operation Lifesaver train safety program. "People don’t pick up a knife by the blade. People don’t stick their hands in an open flame because they know they will get hurt. We need to apply those same principles to railroad safety."
Though officials said adults are the most common violators at railroad crossings, police, school and village leaders all said efforts need to focus on preventing the dangerous behavior from becoming habit by targeting the young.
"We do need to educate the children," resident Abby Wilkinson said, adding that a tall wooden fence also is needed. "I can climb a chain-link fence. I can cut a hole in a chain-link fence. A child is not going to bring a saw to cut a hold in a wooden fence. He’s going to walk the five blocks.
She continued, "What’s aesthetically pleasing about going to a 14-year-old’s funeral. Make it look like a prison whatever it takes, make it (the fence) go to the sky. Keep our kids safe."
Resident Diana Jones agreed saying: "I’d much rather look at a blank wall than go to another funeral."
The mix of Lombard and Villa Park residents came together with the special committee spearheaded by Villa Park Village President Joyce Stupegia to discuss railroad safety in response to the recent death of a 14-year-old Lombard girl.
Kristen Bowen of Lombard was killed by a train as she tried to pass the railroad tracks from Ahrens Avenue in Lombard to North Terrace Park in Villa Park shortly before 8 p.m. Feb. 11.
Stupegia brought the group together to share information on existing educational and enforcement programs, as well as to brainstorm solutions to prevent future deaths along the stretch of railroad tracks.
The group included representatives from the Villa Park police and fire departments, its village board and traffic and safety committee, as well as from the village of Lombard, DuPage County sheriff’s departments, Metra, Union Pacific, Operation Lifesaver and the Illinois Commerce Commission, and DuPage High School District 88.
Ideas included tall wooden fences, shorter fencing with thorny bushes, a pedestrian underpass or overpass. One representative even suggested electrified fencing, which some residents dismissed afterward as an option.
Kristen’s mother, Kathe Bowen, was impressed with the forum’s turnout and people’s responses.
"It seems like people want to come together," she said. "Something just needs to be done. It’s so sad she had to lose her life. But maybe she’ll save a life."
Reprinted with permission from the Daily Herald