Del Mar residents and the North County Transit District (NCTD) Board of Directors met on Thursday to discuss a recent hot button issue in the community—a ban on crossing over the railroad tracks to access to beaches and bluffs in Del Mar.
The North County Transit District (NCTD) had announced that there would be increased enforcement of surveillance and citations for anyone crossing the railroads tracks, especially between 4th and 11th streets in Del Mar. Dozens of citations have been handed out to residents.
Frustrated residents say it’s unfair for them to be cited for just crossing the railroad tracks to access the beach, especially when they’ve been doing it for years.
But the NCTD says the enforcement is meant to protect the community.
On Thursday, residents presented a petition to the board with more than 600 signatures, calling for a stop to the citations.
“If someone is looking both ways—has done it for 30 years and is crossing the tracks with their surfboard, I don’t think that person presents a clear and present danger in the community,” said resident Frank Stonebanks.
Stonebanks is the leader of the community group Citizens for Access to Del Mar Beaches Bluffs and Trails. He told NBC 7 that citations should only be issued for inappropriate behavior, such as running on the tracks while using headphones or taking pictures in the area.
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He said the group is also asking for the construction of a safe crossing area for pedestrians to cross the tracks. They are also calling for the train tracks to be moved off the bluffs in the next decade.
“The bluffs are disintegrating. Their natural beauty –it’s a beautiful place for people to walk and enjoy,” he said. “And the fact is, they’re disintegrating right below the tracks, as we speak.”
“We’re concerned about the safety of the community, and of course our passengers as well,” Jaime Becerra, Chief of Transit Enforcement for NCTD told NBC 7. “And we do this not just because of the people that are crossing on the rails or encroaching onto the rails, we’re also doing this to protect the passengers on board our trains, in the event of an emergency brake.”
According to the NCTD, the enforcement is to bring awareness to the increase in accidents and fatalities that happen on the tracks.
Stonebanks says residents want to work with the board to come up with a viable solution that works for both sides and hopes the conversation won't be dragged for another political cycle.
San Diego County Supervisor Dave Roberts, of the 3rd Congressional District, also attended the meeting. He told NBC 7 that recently, there has been an increase in people near the tracks, especially with the popularity of Pokemon Go. For that reason, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department has stepped up enforcement.
“So I’m here representing my community—how can we find a compromise," Roberts said, emphasizing that safety is a priority.
He added: “In the meantime, we need educational and outreach plans to warn people.”
Meanwhile, Becerra says the NCTD will continue to enforce the ordinance.
