Local man killed by light rail train at 42nd St.

by Tesha M. Christensen

An Ericsson resident became the 10th person to die after being struck by a light rail train in Minnesota.

The Blue Line along Hiawatha Ave. opened 10 years ago in June 2004.

According to John Siqveland of Metro Transit, Michael F. Kwosek, 62, was walking westbound on the southern side of the gated intersection at 42nd St. when he was struck by the braking southbound train at about 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014.

Kwosek was six blocks from his home on the 4200 block of 30th Ave. S.

The gate arms controlling the intersection were in the lowered position, and the train came to a stop a short distance beyond the intersection after striking the man.

The light rail line was closed and buses were brought in to transport rail passengers between Franklin and Fort Snelling stations until about 7:50 p.m.

According to Siqveland, of 10 fatal accidents since the Blue Line opened, five have involved pedestrians; four have involved motorists; and one has involved a bicyclist.

“This is the only pedestrian accident at this location,” stated Siqveland. “In September of 2004, motorist Hilmer Iverson, 87, drove through a gate arm at this intersection and his automobile was struck by a southbound train.”

Metro Transit Police, as well as Metro Transit’s Rail Safety division, are investigating the incident.

LIGHT RAIL VS. AUTOS

“Fatalities and crashes in this mode of transportation are rare, but they do happen,” observed Mantill Williams of the American Public Transportation Association. “There’s no mode of transportation that is risk free.”

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, fatalities on light rail lines over the last 15 years has ranged from a low of 13 in 2002 to a high of 33 in 2009.

There are 27 light rail lines in United States, and several get added every year, according to American Public Transportation Association Director of Policy Development and Research Darnell Grisdy.

He pointed out that the vast majority of deaths on light rails lines are suicides.

In comparison, 40,000 people a year died in automobile deaths, said Grisdy.

“It’s the safest mode of travel,” Grisdy remarked.

This story appeared in the February 2014 edition of the Longfellow/Nokomis Messenger.

Home burglaries spike in neighborhood

Residents taking steps to protect their property by installing lights and better securing windows and doors

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN
A spike in home burglaries is causing Third Precinct citizens to take extra precautions.
In November 2013, there were 163 reported residential burglaries (including garages), compared to 93 the year before.

Home burglaries typically increase near the holiday season, according to Minneapolis Police Department Crime Prevention Specialist Don Greeley. “People’s homes are filled with lots of good things to steal,” observed Greeley.

Another factor contributing to the burglary rate is “related to which burglars are in jail or just got out,” Greeley said.

The police department has stepped up patrols in the neighborhood.

TAKING STEPS TO PROTECT HER HOME

Longfellow resident Jaxi Schulz is concerned about the spike in burglaries. “I know several of my neighbors on the same and surrounding blocks have had their homes broken into,” said Schulz. “I have taken some steps to protect my home and I think the fact that we very obviously have dogs helps.”

Schulz added spot lights to the back and side of the house, a light to the front of the house and a light on the garage. The lights are on dusk-to-dawn timers.

Since she moved into her house six years ago, the window on the front of her house on the porch has made her nervous as she knows it provides an easy and hidden point for a break-in. So, she decided to put metal bars on the window, and then also placed a shelf on the porch in front of it so that the window can’t be seen.

“I never leave the windows open or unlocked when we are not home. I never leave the windows open or unlocked at night when we are sleeping. It means more time with heat or AC, but I feel safer,” said Schulz.

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO
The steps Schulz has taken are inexpensive and easy, the very sort of thing Greeley focuses on when he gives presentations about how to protect their homes and garages from burglars.
Greeley tells residents to focus on these things:
• securing doors and windows
• adding lighting
• securing garages
• starting an active neighborhood watch (block club)

Typically about 50% or more of home burglaries are “unforced”; that is, thieves enter through unlocked windows and doors.

What are some ways to secure windows? Use a nail to pin a window to prevent it from being opened at all. Use a window bar to prevent a window from being opened more than 6 inches, the amount needed for someone to crawl through. Keyed slide bolts are useful both for windows and sliding glass doors.

Lighting an area is also important for deterring crime. Motion-detector lights are an inexpensive deterrent for areas where constant lighting is unnecessary but beneficial when there is activity there. Be sure to hang the lights high enough that they can’t easily be broken.

Make it appear as though your home is occupied even when you aren’t there. Install timers for lights, keep the shades pulled, keep a radio or television on, and have your mail picked up when you are on vacation. Barking dogs also discourage entry.

See original story at:
http://www.longfellownokomismessenger.com/home-burglaries-spike-in-neighborhood/