Belt Railway᾿s police officers are not waiting for Illinois Rail Safety Week, Sept. 11-17, to support safety. They do their own version the first week of every month. Officers make numerous positive contacts with motorists and pedestrians, distributing informational packets with the goal of educating.

Rail Safety Week is a Belt tradition.

As always, the railroad’s police force will participate in the official event alongside more than 100 agencies.

A major center of activity will be patrolling the crossing at 59th Street near Cicero Avenue. That location and others where traffic is most dense and safety violations most frequently occur will be manned. Operation Lifesaver volunteers also will step up presentations.

The police force has received awards for its outstanding performance during Rail Safety Week from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. With six officers, it is one of the smaller organizations involved in the event, but the force’s members are noted for getting a lot done to enhance safety, including issuing citations.