Fencing Along Rail Tracks

* Our Neighborhood Watch adopted Raymer Street in North Hollywood in 1994, which is ribboned by an active rail line. Prior to our intervention, transients used drugs and made camp behind businesses backed up to the line. People took shortcuts across the tracks. This industrial stretch was (and to a degree still is) blighted by illegal dumping. We fought to correct health and safety problems. In 1995, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority installed chain-link fencing along the rail line.

We thought the fence would be destroyed by vandals and trespassing and that dumping would continue. We wanted more police and sheriff’s patrol instead. To the MTA’s credit, the fence virtually eliminated trespassing and probably saved lives. It discouraged transients and controlled all but 30% of the dumping. Fence and padlock cutting occurs, but the barrier is an important success.

Bill Boyarsky is right (“Metrolink Ought to Make Fences, Not Excuses, Oct. 27). The county fences flood-control channels; why can’t Metrolink fence rights of way? Elected officials should demand this public entity take pride in the community and abate it’s nuisances, attractive and unattractive.

NEAL BERKE

Police Community Representative,

Neighborhood Watch

Van Nuys