Railfan & trespasser warning

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the heads up. The railroad that I work for, however, doesn't issue photo ID's. Looks like we should. Stay safe and thanks again.
emory

[edblysard]

Hi everybody,
Before you all get in a uproar, I am posting this in hopes of preventing anyone from getting into a sticky situation. As of today, all PTRA Police, all Port of Houston Police, all Houston Police Dept. officers and all officers of the Harris County Sherrif's office were issued standing orders to arrest anyone on railroad property, regardless of what railroad, who can not or refuses to show a legimate ID, with photograph, that identifies them as a railroad employee. Adults are to be processed, minors are to be detained untill a guardian is present to accept custody of said minor. Our police, (PTRA) sat in on all of our job briefings today, and informed us of this. They advised us if we know any railrans, to please explain to them that they should excerise caution when doing so, and at all time stay off of railroad property. They are quite familar with most of the fans around here, and are advising them of the same. They have no leeway in who they are required to arrest. If you are on property, and dont work here, you will be arrested, period. They were issued strict instructions by the FBI, and the homeland security detail here at the Port of Houston to arrest any non-employee on property, period. Now, although this applies only to the Port of Houston, as far as I know, I would suggest to all that they carry a photo Id, your state drivers liecense should suffice, and have a contact who you can call just in case. I would also like to advise you to excerise extreme caution around yards, bridges, and any chemical plants. If you are stopped or approached by any railroad's police officer, expect at the least to be questioned, in detail.
This advice comes from the top cop here at the Port of Houston, and he suggested that such instructions would be issued to most railroad's police depts, but especialy those near or serving major ports and chemical complexes nationwide.
I am not trying to scare you guys away, most of you should know I like railfans, just giving you a heads up to be prepaired, these guys are serious about this now.
You all Stay Frosty,
Ed