Cops Patrolling Deadly Ramsey Train Crossing

RAMSEY, N.J. — Cops now patrol the deadly railroad crossing where a Ramsey man died last year after he was struck by a train.

New Jersey Transit Police patrol the crossing during "high volume times," morning and evening rush hour, after receiving reports that people disregard the safety gates and cross the tracks when they are lowered, NJ Transit spokesman Jim Smith confirmed.

The Federal Railroad Administration classified the station as the second-most dangerous rail crossing in New Jersey in 2015. Three people, including Tommy Ryan, a Ramsey resident, have died crossing the tracks since 2006.

Ryan died June 9 after he went under the lowered gate to catch a train but did not see another one coming. His uncle has been lobbying NJ Transit and local and state legislators to improve safety at the station and wants trains to go slower through the borough and the station shut down.

RELATED: Victim's Family Wants Deadly Ramsey Train Station Shut Down

State Department of Transportation (DOT) and NJ Transit officials outlined several possible safety improvements at the station that could be implemented, including installing a "gate skirt" to prevent people from ducking under the gates when they are lowered.

NJ Transit is responsible for running the station, not the borough. NJ Transit said in January that there are no plans to close the station.

The officers are there as a safety precaution and to educate people, not to just issue tickets, Smith said. People caught crossing under the gates face a possible $54 fine, but only two summonses were issued last month. The officers are there to educate people.

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Two men walking past the downed gates barely miss getting hit by a train at the Main Street train station. — Courtesy of James Ryan