TOWN OF ALDERSON POST OFFICE BOX 179 CITY BUILDING—202 SOUTH MONROE STREET ALDERSON, WEST VIRGINIA 24910 TELEPHONE (304) 445-2916 NEWS RELEASE - 9-19-19

Contact:  Mayor Travis Copenhaver 304-445-2916 / Margaret Hambrick 304-646-2439

Alderson Police Department Assists With  “Operation Clear Track” On   Tuesday,   September   24   during   Rail   Safety   Week   (RSW),   September   22-28 ,   the   Alderson   Police Department;   the   Amtrak   Police   Department;   and   Operation   Lifesaver,   the   nonprofit   rail   safety   education organization,   will   participate   in   “Operation   Clear   Track,”   along   with   more   than   600   law   enforcement agencies   nationwide.   The   goal   is   to   raise   awareness   and   enforce   state   railroad   grade   crossing   and trespassing   laws.   The   3rd   annual   rail   safety   detail,   carried   out   in   48   states,   is   the   single   largest   rail   safety law enforcement initiative in the U.S. During   “Operation   Clear   Track,”   Alderson   Police   Department   personnel   will   be   stationed   at   targeted railroad   grade   crossing   locations   to   issue   citations   or   warnings   to   violators.   Officers   will   also   disseminate railroad   safety   cards   to   motorists   and   pedestrians.   The   goal   of   Rail   Safety   Week   is   to   reduce   pedestrian and    driver    injuries    and    fatalities    around    railroad    tracks    through    increased    public    awareness    and enforcement. Alderson Police Chief Jeremy Bennett said, “Our officers will be stationed at the Howell   Street   Crossing   and   South   Monroe   Street   Crossing   from   4pm   until   6pm   on   September   24th.      We are   pleased   to   help   with   this   educational   activity.      We   hope   it   insures   there   will   be   no   rail   road   accidents   in Alderson.” Federal   statistics   show   that   about   every   three   hours   in   the   United   States,   a   person   or   vehicle   is   hit   by   a train.   “Operation   Clear   Track”   is   an   effort   by   law   enforcement,   Operation   Lifesaver, Amtrak   and   rail   safety partner   organizations   to   raise   awareness   of   the   dangers   around   railroad   tracks   during   Rail   Safety   Week, which is being observed in the U.S. September 22-28, 2019.