Simply over two months after a Houston ISD pupil was struck and killed by a Union Pacific prepare whereas on his option to college, the railroad firm held a security coaching session with roughly 100 HISD cops.
Union Pacific stated it partnered with the nonprofit Texas Operation Lifesaver to offer HISD officers with vital rail security coaching on Friday to assist forestall and reply to rail incidents. The coaching was held on the Houston ISD Excessive College for Legislation and Justice.
In accordance with Union Pacific, the “Rail Investigation Security Course” consists of hands-on training to equip legislation enforcement with the required abilities to answer railroad incidents. This consists of coaching on assessing railroad environments, decoding rail signage and indicators and emergency procedures for trains and tracks.
“Rail security is a shared duty, and we’re dedicated to working with native businesses to maintain your complete Houston group protected round railroad tracks,” Clint Schelbitzki, assistant vice chairman for public affairs at Union Pacific, stated in a press release. “This coaching goes past simply checking a field — giving first responders the instruments to stop tragedies and successfully reply when seconds matter.”
In a press release to Houston Public Media, an HISD spokesperson stated the district appreciated the coaching and ongoing cooperation supplied by Union Pacific.
“HISD stays steadfast in its dedication to collaborating with all companions to make sure the security and safety of its college students,” the spokesperson wrote. “We recognize the efforts of presidency businesses and Union Pacific in upholding their commitments to prioritize security, and we stay up for persevering with our collective work to create a safe atmosphere for all college students.”
Each the college district and the railroad firm confronted backlash for the December 2024 demise of 15-year-old Sergio Rodriguez, a Milby Excessive College pupil who was struck by a shifting prepare close to the East Finish campus.
Within the wake of Rodriguez’s demise, Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles, Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Harris County Decide Lina Hidalgo started collaborating to enhance railroad security close to colleges. Of the 110 HISD campuses with close by railroad tracks, Miles introduced that 9 colleges could be the district’s primary focus.
Rodriguez’s dad and mom filed a wrongful demise lawsuit in opposition to Union Pacific in search of $1 million. The lawsuit was initially filed in Harris County however was later transferred to a Houston-based federal court docket. The lawsuit was dismissed in late December on the request of the dad and mom, court docket information present.
Neither Union Pacific nor the household’s attorneys instantly responded to a request for remark Tuesday relating to the lawsuit and whether or not the events had reached a settlement.
