Posted by Tom Bogdan on March 15, 2004 at 13:31:49:
The following is a copy of correspondance to State representatives, Lavale, Thiele and Brodsky.
Similar information along with copies of report 2 were sent to U. S. Senators Clinton and Schummer.
Ms. Ann Labassi
The Office of Senator Kenneth P. Lavalle
325 Middle Country Rd., Suite 4
Selden, NY 11784
Dear Ann,
I thought you might find this information worthy of consideration. Please find enclosed a copy of a NY
Times article dated Friday, 3/12/04 It deals with a runaway locomotive which caused both personal and
property damage and had the potential for an enormous disaster. Whatever the reason for the runaway, the fact remains that it happened, and as such, can happen again when and wherever an idling locomotive is left
unattended.
As stated in report #1 & #2 of “Noise and Other Pollution at the Montauk LIRR Station” not only are there multiple high idling unattended locomotives at the Montauk Station, but they remain so for hours at a time. The MAPC has documentary evidence of up to four trains left high-idling and unattended anywhere from 4 to an incredible 11.5 hours at a time on a regular basis during certain times of the year. ( page 4 & Ex. E: Report 2). The LIRR has been informed of this fact on many occasions, and in writing, but refuse to even acknowledge the
practice. It is a situation that is rampant for catastrophe.
Additionally, the recent horrific events in Madrid are a harbinger, a wake up call, of what can occur here at home as a result of insufficent basic locomotive security. And why not. Montauk and the Hamptons are high profile, well known, and given the present lack of even rudimentary security measures by the LIRR, an extremely inviting and easy target.
Please share this information, and our concerns, wherever you think most advantageous.
Kindest regards,