By Marney Simon | Enterprise Staff
Plainfield is no stranger to the sights and sounds of passing trains.
For their efforts to keep residents safe as they cross over the village’s multiple railroad crossings, members of the Plainfield Police Department have now received special recognition from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee.
Eric Graff, Special Agent with Canadian National Railroad Police, presented the award during the June 19 meeting of the village board.
“Over the past several years, the CN and Plainfield police departments have teamed up on a number of occasions to promote railroad safety,” Graff said. “In the past, we have recognized the extraordinary efforts of Chief John Konopek and Sgt. Eric Monson and the Plainfield Police Department for their outstanding contribution to Illinois Rail Safety Week.”
Plainfield was recognized for its leadership role in Rail Safety Week in 2016.
Rail Safety week was developed in 2014 by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee.
“It marked the first time that a police agency outside the rail industry took the initiative in promoting railroad safety and awareness though aggressive education and enforcement efforts,” Graff said. “In the inaugural year, more than 200 police agencies around the state of Illinois participated. By 2015, it had expanded to more than 400 police agencies. In 2016, the Illinois Association of Police Chiefs reached out to the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri, Indiana, and Illinois, and the first ever Midwest Rail Safety Week was created.”
More than 700 agencies from those five states devoted 15,000 man hours to promoting railroad safety, writing more than 6,000 railroad related traffic citations and making more than 400 arrests for trespass to railroad property.
Rail Safety Week includes lifesaving programs at open house events and safety fairs.
Twenty-five agencies were chosen for special recognition following Rail Safety Week in 2016. Plainfield was one of 12 agencies in the state of Illinois awarded with the Achievement of Excellence Award for recognition and appreciation of exemplary enforcement and education efforts in support of Rail Safety Week.
“The Plainfield Police Department has been instrumental in promoting railroad safety through community events, the Road to Reality program, Operation Lifesaver programs, and a series of enforcement initiatives,” Graff said.
This year’s Rail Safety week is Sept. 24-30, 2017.