Parking on Canal Cape side

[Swimmer]

Lets not forget the Ipod users, who at high volume, listen to their favorite tunes. You wont here a slow moving train using those ear buds. I am hopeful my friend will get back to me with more info. He was actually quite surpised at hearing that these notices of tresspass were being given out. As I said, he told me that no one in the railroads employ has any police powers that he knows of. And in my opinon leaving those tresspass notices on vehicles and not handing them out to the tresspasser in person doesn't mean a thing. Certainly doesn't prove who he person was driving the car that the notice was put on. And the last time I checked, when a car is towed from private property it is the responsibilty of the entity that has the vehicle towed resposibilty to pay for the tow. We saw that ruling in Brockton District Court several years ago. I don't think deep down their is any problem. I believe someone is just CTA.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by Swimmer

Lets not forget the Ipod users, who at high volume, listen to their favorite tunes. You wont here a slow moving train using those ear buds. I am hopeful my friend will get back to me with more info. He was actually quite surpised at hearing that these notices of tresspass were being given out. As I said, he told me that no one in the railroads employ has any police powers that he knows of. And in my opinon leaving those tresspass notices on vehicles and not handing them out to the tresspasser in person doesn't mean a thing. Certainly doesn't prove who he person was driving the car that the notice was put on. And the last time I checked, when a car is towed from private property it is the responsibilty of the entity that has the vehicle towed resposibilty to pay for the tow. We saw that ruling in Brockton District Court several years ago. I don't think deep down their is any problem. I believe someone is just CTA.

Yeah, I just said something to that effect on SOL, abut them CTA. By allowing unprotested cross track access, they are probably exposing themselves to liability if someone gets clipped by a train or otherwise gets hurt on the tracks. These notices at least create a record of trying some sort of enforcement. Until I hear that a Bourne PD cruiser is alongside the RR employee and an officer is issuing citations, I'm not going to panic over this.

Lots of the BPD guys also fish and the department doesn't make a habit of harrassing Canal fishermen--it takes repeated complaints from residents for them to address parking violations along the popular Canal spots that are time-restricted for parking. Earl Baldwin, the chief, fishes himself. Which is not to say that they won't make a response if too many people thumb their noses at the RR guys and cause the RR to complain to the chief. My suggestion is to be discreet, be respectful to anyone who gives you a notice, and maybe pick your access spots with discretion. It's easy for them to paper 3-4 cars at a tight turnout. Papering 100 vehicles parked, say, at Gallo's ice rink is a different matter. And if it's at all possible to use a grade crossing, use it.

I'm also thinking that this will all blow over once the topwater bite slows and things return to normal. It's just a prediction, but like I always say--crowds create problems for all of us. And even if the RR backs off, it is only a matter of time before a fisherman gets hit by a car over there, or an accident is caused by a Canal fisherman pulling out of one of those turnouts. And parking gets restricted along Sandwich Road as a result. Some people just don't use their heads in parking there. I've seen many cars parked dangerously close to the road over the last month. Remember--those boulders lining the turn-out near pole 230 weren't there 20 years ago

[Bob Thomas]

I googled the heck out of the guys name and found that he has something to do with safety and security or the like.

I think, like most said, these are CYA notices. They are by no means a citation....they can't write citations. These appear to be along the same idea as me writing a letter to Joe Blow to not come onto my property anymore or he will be subject to prosecution. It's just a notice that the offender can be prosecuted.

Swimmer & Mike - I believe back about 10 years ago or so, the state came up with some law requiring each and every railroad to have it's own "Police Agency" back when. I had 2 guys (Chief included) in my academy that were from a railroad with 2 miles of track. They were explaining it was an "Honorary" title but that each RR needed police. Maybe this guy is the "answer" Cape Rail came up with. He has no Police Powers but is in charge of Safety & Security and this is his way of covering the rails arse.

Yeah, I could see getting a call for that. If it were me, "Yeah, I'm enroute. Ok, now that was 2 crullers, 2 chocolate glazed....."

*** Edit *** Like I told Mike, it is best to keep a cool head. By attacking this fool etc. you are just giving him more ammunition to take the situation even further. If he is, in fact, in charge of the RR, I believe he also has the authority to seek criminal charges through the courts for any infractions, I.e. trespassing after notice. And don't think for a moment that he can't get your plate info. Everybody knows somebody (...sometimes)