Train whistles to continue for the time being, serious safety concerns cited

09/12/2013

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke announced today that a plan to cease mandatory train warning whistles from being used at three of the four railroad crossings in the Clay Mountains/South Texas areas has been discontinued at the present time due to serious safety concerns. 

Chief & Council agreed with the Community Protection Unit’s strong recommendations, based on evidence that community members continue to walk along or cross the tracks in a dangerous manner despite several pleas to act in a safe manner.

“One incident this summer saw a commuter train coming to an emergency stop because of a young man who was walking on the tracks with headphones on, oblivious to the train coming up behind him,” said Kellyann Meloche, Director of Community Protection. “Had it been a freight train, which can’t stop as quickly as a commuter train, this could have had a far more tragic result.”
 
“This doesn’t mean that we can’t look at the possibility of having the whistles stopped sometime in the future but, in good conscience, we can’t endorse it at this time,” said Bob Patton, one of the two Chiefs who hold the Community Protection portfolio.

The MCK, Peacekeepers and Fire Brigade have committed to begin working on a more aggressive and straightforward campaign to try to reach those who continue to engage in dangerous behavior. The Kahnawà:ke media have agreed to participate in bringing the message to the community.

Additionally, the MCK wishes to assure the residents in the area that it will redouble its efforts to work with agencies that use the tracks (CP and the AMT commuter trains) to avoid excessive whistle blowing in unwarranted cases.  Area residents are being asked to call Community Protection to report incidents, citing dates and times.