Elk Grove, Union Pacific Railroad Police Conduct Sweep

The Elk Grove Police Dept. in cooperation with the Union Pacific Railroad and the Federal Rail Administration conducted a joint pedestrian trespassing enforcement sweep on the Union Pacific track in East Elk Grove. The sweep was conducted today, Wednesday, January 7 between 3 and 6 pm.

Sergeant Mike Iannone, Traffic Unit Supervisor for the Elk Grove Police Department conducted a press conference prior to the sweep.

"Our message is very clear," Iannone said. "This railroad right-of-way is not to be used as a bike path, a walkway, or any type of exercise route."

Last month a student from the nearby Elk Grove Charter School was killed while walking the tracks after school by a Union Pacific train. Although the accident is still under investigation, an i-Pod was found on the victim immediately after the the incident and may have contributed to the mishap.

The sweep was aimed primarily at students from nearby Elk Grove High School and Joseph Kerr Middle School. Elk Grove Police Dept. public information officer Christopher Trim noted that adults also regularly illegally use the corridor too.

No sooner had the press conference ended when the task force found the first trespasser. Within 50 yards of the conference site at the intersection of the track and Railroad Ave. and Elk Grove Blvd. in Old Town Elk Grove, a youth was found crossing the tracks.

Police said trespassers would be issued a misdemeanor citation and released unless they did not have identification.

Ed. note: The sound track for our YouTube video problem has been resolved.