NJ set to criminalize tresspassing on railroad property

The NJ legislature is considering "elevating the offense of trespassing on railroad property to a crime of the fourth degree." We don't think this legislation is the best way to address the problem of terrorism; it will not deter any terrorist, and it probably won't stop the graffitti artist either. It could lead to haressment of railfans though, and possibly give the railfan a criminal record. It will certainly put a chill on the hobby of railfanning, which will eliminate a lot of extra eyes that might just notice real criminal activity on railroad property.

To see the text of this bill go to this web site where you will find a box to enter bill number S252 on the right side of the page. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/

With regard to this issue, we are posting the following information copied from the Railpace magazine web site (www.railpace.com).

ATTENTION RAIL ENTHUSIASTS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS:

Write to New Jersey State Senators listed below in opposition to Senate Bill S-252, which proposes to elevate the offense of trespassing on railroad property to a crime of the fourth degree. Assembly Bill A-929 passed unanimously by the Assembly, is now before the Senate Transportation Committee. Hearings on the legislation will be scheduled in the near future. Railpace will monitor the legislative process and offer testimony in opposition when hearings are scheduled. Do Not Delay... Write Today.

Senator John Adler - Senate Sponsor, 1916 Route 70 East, Suite 3, Cherry Hill, N.J. 08003 - email: senadler@njleg.org

Senator Nicolas Sacco - Senate Transportation Chairman, 9060 Palisades Ave., North Bergen, N.J. 07047 - email: sensacco@njleg.org

Senator Fred Madden Jr - Senate Transportation Vice Chairman, 129 Johnson Rd., Suite 1, Turnersville, N.J. 08012 - email: senmadden@njleg.org

Senator Andrew Ciesia - Transportation Committee, 852 Highway 70, Brick, N.J. 08724 - email: senciesla@njleg.org

Senator Sean Kean - Transportation Committee, 1955 Hwy. 34, 2-A, Wall, N.J. 07719 - email: senkean@njleg.org

Senator Jeff Van Drew - Transportation Committee, 21 North Main Street, Cape May Court House, N.J. 08210 - email: senvandrew@njleg.org

Seantor Richard Codey - Senate President, 449 Mount Pleasant Ave., West Orange, N.J. 07052 - email: sencodey@njleg.org

Honorable Jon Corzine, Governor of New Jersey, P.O. Box 001, Trenton, N.J. 08625. - email: follow email link at www.nj.gov .

Why should you write in opposition to S-252?

• Conviction of a crime gives you a permanent criminal record (just like a murderer)
  
• Conviction of a crime can result in loss of a professional license, or the prospect of attaining one.
  
• Conviction of a crime can result in forteiture of public office or employment - or the prospect of attaining same in the future.
  
• Conviction of a crime can result in the loss of voting privileges
  
• Conviction of a crime can adversely affect presnt or future employment opportunities in the private sector.
  

S-252 is bad public policy that will strain the limited resources of the criminal justice and court systems within the State.