KCS, authorities in East Baton Rouge Parish partner for Operation Lifesaver event

Kansas City Southern has partnered with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Department to conduct an Operation Lifesaver "Officer on a Train" event at the KCS crossings in the Parish, in an effort to promote public safety at railroad grade crossings. The event was held at 9:00 a.m. on February 23 at KCS' Foss Street Yard in Baton Rouge. "KCS takes its position as a positive corporate citizen very seriously and we are committed to improving public safety in the communities where we operate," said Allen Pepper, KCS director public safety. "We are pleased to join forces with local law enforcement to raise awareness about the importance of safety at highway rail grade crossings and the dangers of trespassing on railroad rights of way." During the Officer on a Train event, law enforcement officers will be stationed on a moving KCS train and at nearby crossings, watching for grade crossing violations. Motorists who do not heed the law may be issued a citation. "Louisiana is sixth nationally in highway-rail collisions and fatalities and fifth in highway-rail injuries. This Officer on a Train activity will help us to raise awareness to drivers in the Baton Rouge area to be alert near railroad crossings," said Pat Edwards, Operation Lifesaver state coordinator.