NCJ Number
13226
Date Published
1973
Length
111 pages
Annotation
DESCRIPTION OF A TECHNICAL PROJECT TO ASSIST THE RAILROAD INDUSTRY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS OF TRESPASSING, VANDALISM, AND THE THEFT OF RAIL CARGO.
Abstract
THE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT, UNDERTAKEN AND FUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, WAS TO TEST AND DEMONSTRATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A COLLECTIVE APPROACH TO RAILROAD SECURITY BY COORDINATING THE EFFORTS OF ALL SECURITY RESOURCES WITHIN THE RAILYARDS AT ST. LOUIS-EAST ST. LOUIS. THESE RESOURCES INCLUDED A HELICOPTER AND SPECIAL COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT FOR COMMON USE AMONG SEVERAL RAILROAD COMPANIES. THE REPORT DESCRIBES THE RAILROAD POLICE SYSTEM IN GREATER METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS AND THEN DEALS WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT INCLUDING SECURING EQUIPMENT, INSURANCE, AND TRAINING. THE OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM IS DOCUMENTED INCLUDING THE DETERMINATION OF FLIGHT SCHEDULES, RADIO PROCEDURES, SURVEILLANCE, AND APPREHENSION PROCEDURES USED BY THE HELICOPTER. THE IMPACT OF THE PROJECT IS EVALUATED AND NINETEEN RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW A PERMANENT AIRBORNE SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM SHOULD BE ORGANIZED AND OPERATED ARE SET FORTH. THE FINDINGS SUPPORT THE CONCLUSION THAT HELICOPTERS CAN BE AN EFFECTIVE COMPONENT OF A RAILROAD SECURITY SYSTEM. THE PROJECT ALSO DEMONSTRATED THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COORDINATING AND POOLING ALL AVAILABLE LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES IN REDUCING VANDALISM, TRESPASSING, AND CARGO THEFT. THERE WAS A MARKED INCREASE IN JOINT POLICE VENTURES AND THE CONCEPT OF A COMMON RADIO FREQUENCY WAS ALMOST UNIVERSALLY ENDORSED BY THE PARTICIPATING RAILROAD POLICE. APPENDED TO THE REPORT ARE A COPY OF THE HELICOPTER SERVICES CONTRACT, A PERSONAL INJURY LIABILITY AGREEMENT, AND THE PROJECT EVALUATION FORMS USED BY THE PARTICIPANTS.