A community event at the Bedford Park Fire Department gave Belt Police Officer Andrea Clunie an opportunity to share an important message beyond the railroad — and introduce local families to the people who help keep the Belt’s operations and surrounding communities safe.

On May 2, Clunie joined the Bedford Park Fire Department’s community safety open house, where surrounding agencies were invited to meet with residents and share information. As an Operation Lifesaver Authorized Volunteer, she brought railroad safety material and giveaways for children and their parents.

The event provided an informal setting to discuss safe practices around railroad tracks and crossings, along with situations members of the public may encounter.

Clunie covered practical topics; however, the day was about more than distributing information.

“I love it,” she said of community engagement. “It balances out my role as a police officer.”

Clunie sees outreach as an important part of the profession. 

“It’s just another side to policing that a lot of people don’t know,” she said. 

The gathering also introduced many attendees to an organization they knew little about. Clunie said several people were surprised to learn that the Belt has its own police department.

That awareness can be particularly valuable in communities where railroad crossings and tracks are part of the local landscape. Some attendees told Clunie they had seen Belt officers near crossings by schools, where they help support safe passage for children.

“They appreciated our presence,” she said.

The open house created opportunities to connect with fire department personnel and other agencies while giving Clunie a chance to interact with people of different ages. The combination of safety education and personal interaction made the event a natural fit for the Belt Police Department’s outreach efforts.

“It was just a well-organized event,” Clunie said. “It’s something that we’re definitely going to look forward to doing again year after year.”