Glendale authorities target scofflaws unsafely crossing railroad tracks

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Vehicles wait for a train to pass as Glendale Police motor officers looked for railroad track crossing violators on San Fernando Rd. at Doran in Glendale, on Tuesday morning, Sept. 25, 2018. GPD and Amtrak partnered on Operation Clean Track for Railway Safety Week. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Glendale Police motor officers were out looking for railroad track crossing violators on San Fernando Rd. at Doran Ave. in Glendale, on Tuesday morning, Sept. 25, 2018. GPD and Amtrak partnered on Operation Clean Track for Railway Safety Week. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Glendale Police motor officers pulled over railroad track crossing violators at San Fernando Rd. and Doran Ave., in Glendale on Tuesday morning, Sept. 25, 2018. GPD and Amtrak partnered on Operation Clean Track for Railway Safety Week. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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A motorist makes it across the tracks as the signal begins to sound off and crossing arms come down at railroad track crossing on San Fernando Rd. at Doran in Glendale, on Tuesday morning, Sept. 25, 2018. Glendale Police Dept. and Amtrak partnered on Operation Clean Track for Railway Safety Week. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Glendale Police motor officer Joe Borbon waits in place looking for railroad track crossing violators on San Fernando Rd. at Broadway in Glendale, on Tuesday morning, Sept. 25, 2018. GPD and Amtrak partnered on Operation Clean Track for Railway Safety Week. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Glendale Police motor officers looked for railroad track crossing violators on San Fernando Rd. at Doran in Glendale, on Tuesday morning, Sept. 25, 2018. GPD and Amtrak partnered on Operation Clean Track for Railway Safety Week. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Glendale Police motor officer pulls over a motorist for making a right turn on a red arrow at the railroad track crossing on San Fernando Rd. at Broadway in Glendale, on Tuesday morning, Sept. 25, 2018. GPD and Amtrak partnered on Operation Clean Track for Railway Safety Week. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Motorists wait patiently as an Amtrak train passes by on the railroad track crossing at San Fernando Rd. and Broadway in Glendale, on Tuesday morning, Sept. 25, 2018. GPD and Amtrak partnered on Operation Clean Track for Railway Safety Week. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

By Andy Nguyen

Sept. 25, 2018 3:40 PM PT

The Glendale Police Department partnered with Amtrak on Tuesday to crack down on railroad scofflaws who illegally cross train tracks.

As part of Operation Clear Track, officers monitored the San Fernando Road rail crossings at Broadway and Doran Street from 8 to 11 a.m. The operation was meant to reduce the number of pedestrian and driver fatalities as well as injuries that result from illegally crossing railroad tracks.

In Glendale this year, two pedestrians have been struck and killed by trains. However, authorities have said those deaths were considered suicides rather than accidents.

During the operation, Glendale Police Traffic Sgt. Kevin Hirano said 14 citations were issued to pedestrians and motorists. However, he added only two of those citations were related to illegally crossing train tracks. The other citations were for other traffic violations.

Operation Clear Track is part of a nationwide campaign coordinated by the nonprofit group Operation Lifesaver. The group works toward raising awareness about railroad safety and designated this week as U.S. Rail Safety Week.

andy.nguyen@latimes.com

Twitter: @Andy_Truc