Railroad Safety Tips

Abingdon Police Department

For Immediate Release

Due to recent incidents on the railroad tracks in Abingdon, Virginia. The Abingdon Police Department would like for the community to follow the advice of Operation Lifesaver with these railroad safety tips.

·       The only safe place to cross is at a designated public crossing with either a crossbuck, flashing red lights or a gate. If you cross at any other place, you are trespassing and can be ticketed or fined. Cross tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings.

·       Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment are private property and trespassers are subject to arrest and fine. If you are on the rail road tracks, you are trespassing and subject to criminal prosecution.

·       It can take a mile or more to stop a train, so a locomotive engineer who suddenly sees someone on the tracks will likely be unable to stop in time. Railroad property is private property. For your safety, it is illegal to be there unless you are at a designated public crossing.

·       Trains overhang the tracks by at least three feet in both directions; loose straps hanging from rail cars may extend even further. If you are in the right-of-way next to the tracks, you can be hit by the train.

·       Do not cross the tracks immediately after a train passes. A second train might be blocked by the first. Trains can come from either direction. Wait until you can see clearly around the first train in both directions.

·       Flashing red lights indicate a train is approaching from either direction. You can be fined for failure to obey these signals. Never walk around or behind lowered gates at a crossing, and DO NOT cross the tracks until the lights have stopped flashing and it's safe to do so.

·       Stay off of railroad trestles. There is only enough clearance on the tracks for a train to pass. Trestles are not meant to be sidewalks or pedestrian bridges! Never walk, run, cycle or operate all terrain vehicles (ATVs) on railroad tracks, rights-of-way or through tunnels.

·       Do not attempt to hop aboard railroad equipment at any time. A slip of the foot can cost you a limb or your life.

·       Be aware trains do not follow set schedules. Any Time is Train Time!

·       Know the law: Crossing anywhere other than at approved grade crossings is a crime in Virginia.

Code section § 18.2-159 states:

“Any person who goes upon the track of a railroad other than to pass over such road at a public or private crossing, or who willfully rides, drives or leads any animal or contrives for any animal to go on such track except to cross as aforesaid, without the consent of the railroad company or person operating such road, shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor. A second violation of the provisions of this section occurring within two years of the first violation shall be punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor. A third or subsequent violation of the provisions of this section occurring within two years of a second or a subsequent violation shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. This section shall not apply to any section of track which has been legally abandoned pursuant to an order of a federal or state agency having jurisdiction over the track and is not being used for railroad service.
For purposes of this section, track shall mean the rail, ties, and ballast of the railroad.”

For more information, visit the Operation Lifesaver website- http://oli.org/. 

Train Incident on 6-7-16

Abingdon Police Department 

For Immediate Release

On Tuesday, June 7, 2016, at approximately 8:30 PM, Abingdon Police were dispatched to the areas of Preston and Fuller Street railroad crossings in reference to a pedestrian being struck by a train. Upon arrival, officers searched the area and found the victim located on the railroad tracks, adjacent to the 600 block of West Main Street. The victim, Brian Kenneth Jessee, 44, of 16287 Mary Street, Abingdon, Virginia, was found deceased.

The Abingdon Police Department, Abingdon Fire Department, Washington County Life Saving Crew, and the Washington County, VA Sheriff’s Office all responded to the incident. The Highlands Regional Crash Team was activated to document the incident, and their findings will be turned over to Norfolk Southern Railway Company Police to aid in their investigation.

The incident occurred at a location where there is no grade or pedestrian crossing. The closest grade/pedestrian crossing is at the intersection of Preston Street and Main Street, approximately 1000 feet from where the incident occurred.

The incident is still under investigation by Norfolk Southern Railway Company.

Norfolk Southern Railway Company opened the rail crossings at 11:00 PM at Preston and Fuller Streets. 

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Bear Sightings in Abingdon, Virginia

Abingdon Police Department

                                               

For Immediate Release

Bear Sightings in Abingdon, Virginia

The Abingdon Police Department has received two reports of black bear sightings in the areas of Crestview Drive/Court Street and Russell Road.

The first report was received Wednesday (6/1/16) at approximately 6:00 AM in the 400 block of Russell Road. The caller advised that a black bear was observed in the area of the Little League Fields. Officers responded to the area and checked for the bear, but were unable to locate it.

The second report was received Thursday (6/2/16) at approximately 1:00 PM in the Crestview Drive and North Court Street area. The caller advised that a black bear was observed near the condominiums in the area. Officers responded to the area and checked for the bear, but were unable to locate it. 

The APD would like to provide the following tips, should you encounter a bear:

• ·         Remain calm if you encounter a bear. Do not run from it.
• ·         Make the bear aware of your presence by speaking in an assertive voice, singing, clapping your hands, or making other noises.
• ·         Make sure the bear has an escape route.
• ·         Avoid direct eye contact, which may be perceived by a bear as a challenge. Never run from a bear. Instead, slowly back away.
• ·         To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, banging pots and pans or using an air horn. Make yourself look as big as possible by waving your arms. If you are with someone else, stand close together with your arms raised above your head.
• ·         The bear may utter a series of huffs, make popping jaw sounds by snapping its jaws and swat the ground. These are warning signs that you are too close. Slowly back away, avoid direct eye contact and do not run.
• ·         If a bear stands on its hind legs or moves closer, it may be trying to get a better view or detect scents in the air. It is usually not a threatening behavior.
• ·         Black bears will sometimes "bluff charge" when cornered, threatened or attempting to steal food. Stand your ground, avoid direct eye contact, then slowly back away and do not run.
• ·         If the bear does not leave, move to a secure area.
• ·         Black bear attacks are extremely rare. If a black bear does attack, fight back!

Black bears have a natural distrust of humans, are shy, and usually avoid people. However, bears may be attracted to food sources in residential areas.

• ·         Remove the bird feeders. It is best not to put out food for birds from April–November. Instead, plant native seed-bearing plants or use water features to attract birds to your home.
• ·         Secure your garbage. Store garbage indoors, in a shed or garage, or in a bear-proof container. Put garbage out on the morning of pickup, not the night before, or take it to the dump frequently.
• ·         Pick up pet food. Feed pets only what they will eat in a single feeding or feed them indoors. Remove all uneaten food. Do not leave food out overnight.
• ·         Do not put meat scraps in the compost pile. Keep compost away from house.
• ·         Pick up and remove ripe fruit from fruit trees and surrounding grounds.
• ·         Clean the grill often. Do not dump drippings in your yard. Run the grill an extra 5 minutes to burn off grease.
• ·         Install electric fencing to protect beehives, dumpsters, gardens, compost piles, or other potential food sources.
• ·         Don't store food, freezers, refrigerators, or trash on porches.
• ·         Use harassment techniques in conjunction with removing the attractant to get the bear to move off your property. Paintballs are a great tool for hazing. They are nonlethal, won't harm the bear if shot at the rump, but are painful enough to get the bear moving away from homes.
• ·         Talk to your neighbors. Make sure your neighbors and community administrators are aware of the ways to prevent bears from causing problems.

Deliberate & Inadvertent Feeding of Bears is Illegal

It shall be unlawful for any person as defined in § 1-230 (Code of Virginia) to place, distribute, or allow the placement of food, minerals, carrion, trash, or similar substances to feed or attract bear. Nor, upon notification by department personnel, shall any person continue to place, distribute, or allow the placement of any food, mineral, carrion, trash, or similar substances for any purpose if the placement of these materials results in the presence of bear.

Please refer to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries at http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/bear/living-with-black-bears/ for additional information. If you are, or observe someone else in, immediate danger, call 911.

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MVA at Abingdon Farmers Market on 5-27-16

Abingdon Police Department

                                               

For Immediate Release

On Friday, May 27, 2016, at approximately 3:30 AM, Abingdon police were dispatched to 100 Remsburg Drive (Abingdon Farmers Market) in reference to a motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival, officers observed a single vehicle that appeared to be parked inside the Farmers Market and several areas of property damage around the market.

Officers observed a male subject walking around the vehicle who appeared to be incoherent. After determining the subject did not need medical attention, he was identified as Gavin Blevins, 32, of 194 Park Street, Abingdon, Virginia. Officers had Blevins perform several standardized field sobriety tests, which he did not complete to the satisfaction of the officers.  Blevins was arrested for suspicion of Driving Under the Influence and was transported to the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail, where he was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, in violation of § 18.2-266 of the Code of Virginia.

This crash caused substantial damage to an Appalachian Electric Power pole, a Town of Abingdon wireless mesh node, and the Farmers Market structure. The town is assessing the cost of the damages at this time.

*Pictured: Gavin Blevins, 32, of 194 Park Street, Abingdon, Virginia

Pictures of Abingdon Farmers Market Damage

Parking Information for Plumb Alley Day 5-28-16

Abingdon Police Department

For Immediate Release

This Saturday, May 28^th, 2016, is the 34^th Annual Kiwanis Plumb Alley Day event in Abingdon, VA. The Abingdon Police Department wants to remind the community and visitors of parking restrictions. Like most tourist communities, Abingdon has several parking restrictions that you should be aware of, to avoid violating any of the parking provisions and subjecting yourself to an unwanted fine. 

To assist you in planning your visit, the following parking restrictions are provided for your information. 

In the Town of Abingdon, it is unlawful to:

1.      Park Overtime – OVERTIME parking is enforced Monday-Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm.  It is NOT enforced on weekends (Saturday and Sunday). 

2.      Block a driveway.

3.      Park so the parked vehicle partially blocks a driveway.

4.      Block an intersection.

5.      Park so the parked vehicle encroaches an intersection.

6.      Park in a space designated by signage as a “Bus Stop.”

7.      Park so that the left (driver’s) side of a vehicle is against the curbing of the roadway. This is commonly called “Parking Against the Traffic Flow” or “Parking Against the Flow” and is our most common violation.

8.      Park in a loading zone.

9.      Park in a space designated “No Parking.”

10.  Park in any alley.

11.  Park on a sidewalk.

12.  Park so the vehicle occupies a portion of two marked parking spaces.

There are FREE public parking lots located at 208 West Main Street and 425 West Main Street.

The APD warmly welcomes your visit to our community.  Abingdon thrives on tourism, and we hope that your visit will be greeted with smiling faces and a friendly atmosphere.  

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Click It or Ticket Effort Occurs Before High-Traffic Holiday

Click It or Ticket Effort Occurs Before High-Traffic Holiday

More Enforcement, Awareness Focus of Annual Mobilization

From May 23 to June 5, 2016, the Abingdon Police Department will participate in the national Click It or Ticket campaign in an effort to save lives through increased seat belt use. This enforcement period is in advance of, and includes, the Memorial Day holiday, one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.

There were 310 unrestrained fatalities in Virginia last year, and 71 were recorded so far this year, between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2016. Nationally, 88.5 percent of passenger vehicle occupants buckled up last year, according the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but almost 50 percent of fatal crash occupants were not restrained. In some states, the rate was as high as 70 percent unrestrained in fatal crashes.

“If you knew you were going to be in a crash before you left home, you would wear your seatbelt. However, you never know when the next crash may occur or who will be involved in it. Please wear your seatbelt; not only for yourself but for those who care about you,” said Police Chief Tony Sullivan.

Virginia’s statewide seat belt use rate was 80.9 percent in 2015, 77.3 percent in 2014, 79.7 percent in 2013 and 78.4 percent in 2012. The 310 unrestrained fatalities in Virginia last year represent 41 percent of the 753 total traffic fatalities.

According to NHTSA, there were 9,385 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in 2014 in the United States. Also in 2014, seat belts saved an estimated 12,802 people from dying nationwide. From 2010 to 2014 seat belts saved nearly 63,000 lives. If all passenger vehicle occupants age 5 and older involved in fatal crashes had worn their seat belts, an additional 2,814 lives could have been saved in 2014 alone.

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Wanted Person Arrested 5-18-16

Abingdon Police Department

For Immediate Release

On Wednesday, May 18^th, 2016, at approximately 9:28 PM, Abingdon police were dispatched to the 600 block of West Main Street (Walgreen’s area) in reference to a wanted person. Upon arrival, officers searched the area and encountered a subject matching the description. The man identified himself as Randall L. Wilson, 29, of 724 Apple Valley Road, Marion, Virginia. As officers attempted to place Wilson under arrest, he resisted, striking the officer, and knocking him to the ground. Wilson fled the scene on foot, as the officer chased him east in the 600 block of West Main Street. He jumped several fences and crossed the railroad tracks to the Colonial Road area. After a brief search, officers encountered Wilson hiding in brush next to a spring house. He was taken in to custody without further incident, and transported to Southwest Virginia Regional Jail. He is being held without bond.

Randall L. Wilson, 29, of Marion, Virginia, was served with the two capiases from Washington County and Smyth County, Virginia. He was also charged with Obstructing Justice, in violation of § 18.2-460 of the code of Virginia; Assault on a Police Officer, in violation of § 18.2-57; and Escape from Custody, in violation of § 18.2-479. 

*Pictured: Randall L. Wilson, 29, of of 724 Apple Valley Road, Marion, Virginia.