Why is this even happening?????

rainbow dash

Wed, Jun 10 2015, 3:12 am

http://www.thelakewoodscoop.co......html

NOTE: The following information was submitted by TLS by a reader and witness of the incidents. TLS has also submitted the letter to the BOE to distribute to the local public and non-public schools to ensure this issue is taken seriously by parents and teachers.

Dear readers,
I would like to share with you an occurrence I witnessed last week that I feel strongly defies what we represent. What I’m referring to is what goes on during the weekly visit we have from what is known simply as ‘The Train’.

What I witnessed was as follows:

I was walking down Park Ave by the intersection of County Line when I started to hear the horn of the train from the distance. Suddenly, as if summoned by some hidden force, close to one hundred kids started to appear from all sides. The first thing I noticed was that there were a whole bunch of kids, some who looked to be as young as 5 years old, who ran or rode their bikes on the tracks right in front of the train as if to escort it into town. No elaboration is needed to describe the danger involved in doing this. The kids actually did this all along as far as I was able to see by each intersection as the train proceeded along Park ave and continued into town.

The next very disturbing thing I saw was that the kids started spreading rocks and stones from the rail bed onto the actual tracks to see them get crushed as the train rode over them. Again there is no need to elaborate on the danger this can cause.

The next thing I saw really shocked me.

As most have heard or noticed, the intersection of County Line Rd and Park Ave was recently equipped with new gates to block the road as the train passes through the intersection. During the short pause (definitely lengthened by the procession of kids) not less then 3 cars went around the gate and crossed the tracks. The last car almost collided with the train and had to back up after making a shortstop right on the tracks. I then noticed some kids throwing rocks and pieces of wood at the train as it went by.

A short while later I met up with the Engineer and the Conductor of the train and was able to hear their perspective on this weekly occurrence.

The Engineer unsurprisingly had some very strong words to say to us. He stated as follows:

He has been driving trains for over 25 years and has been doing this run from Seyerville NJ to Lakewood for the past couple of years. (Just as a side note, a lot if the lumber used to build the houses in Lakewood, are delivered through this run.)
He said that what I witnessed happens every Thursday in the summer as he passes through Lakewood. He told me that from all the towns and cities that he passes through, Lakewood is the only one where the kids do this and the only town where cars jump the track. He also said that in all his career he has never seen cars pass through a closed gate until this past week in Lakewood. He said that the danger he faces when passing through Lakewood to himself and the children makes him question his job, and he’s close to quitting.

He went on to explain that besides for the damage to the rail company’s property, the stones laid down along the track pose a danger to himself and the children as there exists the possibility of the train derailing. I do not need to go into detail about what can happen in such a situation. He continued to say that as the train pulverizes the stones, the fragments of rock that shoot out can be going as fast as a bullet and can pierce right though anyone standing close by. He also said that a train takes a lot more time to stop than a car does, and this poses great danger to kids who run and ride in front of him if they were to fall. He went on to say that he constantly sees adults just standing by and not saying anything as all this happens, greatly adding to his frustration.

I’ll quote a question he asked me during our conversation:

Do we need a child to get killed in order for the parents to stop them from doing these things?

I am writing this letter to hopefully stop the problem in it’s tracks, so to say, before that can happen.

It is situations like these that at times make us looked down upon by our neighbors.

Parents, please tell your children that it’s fine to stand and watch the train go by, but anything that may be a danger they may not do. It is YOUR responsibility to teach your children how they must act.

Name withheld

(TLS welcomes your letters by submitting them to newstips@thelakewoodscoop.com)

- See more at: http://www.thelakewoodscoop.co......dpuf

rainbow dash

Wed, Jun 10 2015, 3:14 am

Why? dont the parents know what their kids are doing? Or even were they are? Its so dangerous!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Simple1

Wed, Jun 10 2015, 6:20 am

That's awful! But why didn't he call the police who can then threaten the kids to stop doing this?

And while I agree this is dangerous, it is a very slow cargo train, not a quick commuter train, so once you're used to it, it doesn't give a dangerous impression.

Edit - I just read the comments on the blog, and to answer your question in the title - I thought "Mark Levin's" post was pretty insightful. I still think it's crazy, but as I said, some threats and fines from the police should've stopped the behavior.

nywife

Wed, Jun 10 2015, 3:20 pm

I don't blame the children. They're curious; it's a train, it's exciting to look at.
I blame the parents. Young children (2,3,4) might not know any better, but an older child (6,7,8) should know not to do that. If he doesn't, he was not taught well.

Dolly Welsh

Wed, Jun 10 2015, 3:39 pm

Absolutely horrible and a huge chillul Hashem. Unsupervised children, potential to kill the personnel on the train by having it derail, potential to kill people in the cars, potential death or dismemberment of the children from the train itself, or rock fragments.

It is true trains are fascinating, but parents have to teach.

There need to be some solemn speeches made at gatherings of the community, by the most senior people.

Yes, there will be deaths, and there is already shame. Big shame.

MagentaYenta

Wed, Jun 10 2015, 4:46 pm

Simple1 wrote:

Inertia. The stopping distance of a slow train is impacted by the load it is pulling. Teach your kids about this.

gp2.0

Wed, Jun 10 2015, 4:50 pm

This is sick. shock

Parents standing right there? And they don't have the brains to know how crazy dangerous and irresponsible this is?

I can't even shock

naturalmom5

Wed, Jun 10 2015, 5:52 pm

Someone should definitely take pictures of these kids doing this and send the pics to DYFS

amother

Rose

Wed, Jun 10 2015, 5:53 pm

gp2.0 wrote:

This is sick. shock

Parents standing right there? And they don't have the brains to know how crazy dangerous and irresponsible this is?

I can't even shock

I believe it 100% after observing the following incident: A disturbed man armed with a rifle was holed up on the roof of an apartment bldg, threatening to shoot himself. The street was clogged with half a precinct's worth of police cars, and a SWAT team in full riot gear was called in. While I scrammed as quickly as I could make my way past the onlookers, half the frum ladies in the neighborhood were out there gawking with their babies in strollers in front of them. What were these genius women thinking?
[Edited]

rosehill

Wed, Jun 10 2015, 5:56 pm

See, this is what happens when kids don't have television and iPods.

just kidding; don't jump down my throat!!!!!

seeker

Wed, Jun 10 2015, 6:03 pm

Many thanks to the whistleblower here. I hope strong action is taken. This is simply unbelievable. I dont want to see

gp2.0

Wed, Jun 10 2015, 6:11 pm

OK I reread this and it seems like the kids are riding their bikes ON the actual tracks??? In front of the actual train??? I don't know why but the first time I read I assumed they were riding on either side of the train.

Now it's a whole new level of crazy. shock

sheifelah

Wed, Jun 10 2015, 6:17 pm

No words. ....

zaq

Wed, Jun 10 2015, 6:18 pm

gp2.0 wrote:

Children learn what they see. When adults set a superbly clear example of contempt for both the law and their own safety by circumventing the boom gate that blocks the RR crossing before a train passes, why wouldn't the children ride on the tracks?

33055

Wed, Jun 10 2015, 6:21 pm

Today a young frum 7 year old was sitting in the middle of the road watching guys working on my property. SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD cross legged!

I regularly see young kids racing cars while they are in their bike. There are two 2 years old who are out by themselves regularly. There are no other children. They cross the street by themselves. I find them on my property.

This is what happens when children are not supervised.

Simple1

Wed, Jun 10 2015, 7:36 pm

MagentaYenta wrote:

Inertia. The stopping distance of a slow train is impacted by the load it is pulling. Teach your kids about this.

That's an interesting piece of science. I'd like to think my kids have the sense not to try this shtick.

I just thought it was important to make the point about a slow moving train because that would make the parents negligent - but not insane. Quick trains - like at the NY subway- are absolutely terrifying.

zaq

Wed, Jun 10 2015, 8:43 pm

PSA: YOU CANNOT OUTRUN A TRAIN. Trains a short distance away look as if they are not moving even when they are hurtling along at top speed, and you don't hear them until they are nearly on top of you. Even "slow-moving" freight trains are going 40 mph.

MagentaYenta

Wed, Jun 10 2015, 8:47 pm

Simple1 wrote:

Do people really think a train can stop like a car?

causemommysaid

Wed, Jun 10 2015, 8:47 pm

I hate to say this but nothing is going to change until someone dies God Forbid. It's really unfortunate.

Laiya

Wed, Jun 10 2015, 8:49 pm

Another pet peeve is car seats. Either not using them properly, or not using them at all. I just don't get the mind-set.