• The only safe place to cross is at a designated public crossing with either a crossbuck, flashing red lights or a gate

• Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment are private property.

• 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.

• When walking with children near rail crossings, do not let them run ahead or lag behind. Make sure they are crossing with you.

• Be aware of sight or sound obstructions that may prevent you from seeing or hearing an approaching train. Take extra caution around these objects.

• Educate your children on the dangers of rail crossings. Practice crossing tracks with them.

• 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 is safe to do so.

• Do not hunt, fish or bungee jump from 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!

Now that school is out for the summer, it is imperative that drivers be ever mindful of pedestrian traffic in and around the Village.  While careful driving habits are critical during the school year, it is equally important to be watchful of children walking and riding bikes, skateboards and scooters.

Drivers are encouraged to use the same level of caution when approaching stop signs, intersections and crosswalk areas.  Together we can make McFarland as safe of a community as possible for our children. 

Have a great summer!

Neighborhood Watch Program

There are many things you can do to keep your own house safe from burglars, such as installing automatic outdoor lights, keeping the hedges well trimmed so law breakers do not have a convenient hiding spot and making sure all your doors and windows are locked at all times. However, if someone is determined to break into your home or steal your property when they think you are away, they will very likely at least try even if you've done everything possible to safeguard your home.

There is something else you can do. Participating in a neighborhood watch program is a great way to deter crime and discourage criminals from spending time on your block. One of the most important things to remember about criminals is that they never want to be seen by anyone, because if they are ever caught by the police they will not want someone to be able to identify them. When a criminal knows there is a good chance they are being watched, they will be far more likely to move on and look for an easier target.

A neighborhood watch is a program in which all the people who live in one area agree to watch out for each other. So if one of your neighbors notices a suspicious character hanging around your house, or a car that keeps driving up and down your block, they will notify you and contact the police. Criminals are warned of an active watch by signs that are posted prominently in the area. When they see these clear signals that the people in this community are working together to prevent crime, they will know their chances of being caught are much higher and go somewhere else.

To get your own neighborhood watch together, set up a meeting and invite everyone who lives around you as well as representatives from the McFarland Police Department. Try going door to door to either tell people personally or create a small flier that announces the time, location and intent of this meeting. On the night you do meet, explain to everyone the benefits of working together to watch over each other's property, and allow a police officer to speak to the group. The officer will be able to offer great tips and training that will help you protect your neighborhood more efficiently.

One final thing that is important to remember - although people who are part of a local watch group can help prevent crime, they are not trained to stop a criminal. Stress to the members of your watch group that they are not taking on the job of a law enforcement officer, they are working with the rest of your neighbors to keep an eye on each other. Your group should work together to help deter crime, warn others of potential danger, but never put themselves at risk by trying to stop a crime on their own. If any criminal activity is spotted, the best thing to do is call the police immediately. 
 

• Know where your children are and whom they are with at all times. Make sure that they return home promptly at appointed times.
• Have them check in with you when they arrive at or depart from a particular location and when there is a change of plans.
• Never let your young children go anywhere alone. Make sure another trusted adult is present if you cannot.
• Make sure your older children, who have more freedom, always go out with a friend and that they fully understand all safety rules.
• Know what your children wear every day. Avoid putting their names on the outside of their clothes. Children may respond more readily to a stranger who calls them by name.
• Never leave your child alone in a vehicle, restroom, store, playground, or other public place.
• Have your child play in a supervised area with friends you know.
• Let your child know where you will be at all times and how to get in touch with you.
• Keep a record of your children’s friends and their phone numbers.
• Post a list of important phone numbers near your phone. Include the numbers of your work phone, a neighbor or trusted friend to call for help in a non-emergency, a family member or trusted friend to call in an emergency, family doctor, etc.
• Keep an updated information file on your children. Include pictures, fingerprints, footprints, physical characteristics, identifying marks, medical and dental records, etc.
• Find out why your child doesn’t want to be with someone or go somewhere. The reason may be more than a personality conflict or a lack of interest.
• Notice when anyone shows an unusual amount of interest in your child or gives him or her gifts. Ask your child why he or she is acting that way.
• Before leaving your child alone at home make sure he or she is not afraid to be alone and is able to follow your instructions about dealing with various situations that might arise.
• Have a way to contact your children if you will be late in picking them up, meeting them somewhere, coming home, etc.
• Attend your children’s activities so you can observe how other adults who are involved interact with them. Talk to the person in charge if you become concerned about anyone’s behavior.
• Make time every day to discuss the day’s events with your children. Encourage them to tell you about anything that makes them uncomfortable, or scares or confuses them. Listen to what they say and never underestimate their fears or concerns. Show them that you are always concerned about their safety and security. Effective communication is the most important factor in child safety.
• Be alert for any changes in your child’s behavior. Look and listen for things that indicate something is troubling him or her. Children are often uncomfortable in disclosing disturbing events or feelings because they are concerned about your reactions to their problems. When they do talk about their problems be calm, compassionate, reassuring, and nonjudgmental as you work with them to resolve the problem.