FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Lt. Mark Lee
The West Windsor Township Police Department joins North American rail-safety operation aimed at reducing preventable deaths and injuries on rail lines
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (September 21, 2020) – The West Windsor Township Police Department is proud to be joining forces with first responder agencies in the U.S. and Canada today for “Operation Clear Track” — the single largest rail-safety initiative in North America.
Coordinated by Amtrak, Operation Lifesaver Inc. and Operation Lifesaver Canada, Operation Clear Track aims to reduce the number of railway crossing and trespassing incidents in the U.S. and Canada — incidents which seriously injure or kill more than 2,100 people each year. The event is held during the annual observance of Rail Safety Week, September 21-27.
“Along with our partners, we look forward to assisting with awareness & safety around the rails. We are aware how busy the Princeton Junction Train Station can be on any given day and always strive for the safest environment possible for our community.”—Lt. Mark Lee of the West Windsor Township PD.
“The goal of Operation Clear Track and Rail Safety Week is to raise awareness of the importance of safe behavior near tracks and trains, in support of OLI’s mission to save lives,” said Operation Lifesaver, Inc. Executive Director Rachel Maleh.
Because of the ongoing pandemic, first responder agencies will be participating in a virtual Operation Clear Track event this year. These agencies across North America will be promoting rail safety through social media messages, by sharing Operation Lifesaver’s #STOPTrackTragedies public service announcements and other videos, and by posting other rail safety information to their department websites. Participants will also be emphasizing the importance of obeying rail crossing and trespassing laws throughout Rail Safety Week.
For more information about Rail Safety Week, Operation Clear Track, and other rail-safety initiatives and tips, please visit www.oli.org.
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In June of 1994, the WWPD moved into its present building at 20 Municipal Drive. The building contains all of the township’s police operations and the municipal court.
On July 1, 2017, the department’s present Chief, Robert Garofalo, assumed command from Chief Joseph Pica, Jr. after his 43 years of service (last 16 years as Chief of Police).
The department currently has the following divisions: Operations and Services, Investigative and Traffic. The department employs fifty five (55) sworn Police Officers (including seven Class III Officers), seven (7) full time dispatchers, five (5) secretarial staff, and two (2) per diem crossing guards.
About Operation Lifesaver
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. is a nonprofit public safety education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail crossings and preventing trespassing on or near railroad tracks. A national network of trained volunteers gives free presentations on rail safety and a public awareness campaign, See Tracks? Think Train! provides tips and statistics to encourage safe behavior near the tracks. OLI leads an international observance of Rail Safety Week each September. Learn more about Rail Safety Week; follow OLI on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.
