Cross railroad tracks only at marked crossings The UND Police Department has received several reports from the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad stating that pedestrians have been crossing the tracks at places other than marked pedestrian crossings. There have been reports of people rolling under railroad cars, going between cars, carrying their bicycles and even golf clubs over the railroad tracks. Most of these reports have occurred around campus, and people should be reminded that they are taking their lives into their own hands by crossing the tracks where it is not safe. There are several large, brightly colored signs along both sides of the tracks that warn people against crossing and state that is a criminal offense to do so. The offense, criminal trespass, is a class B misdemeanor and has a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. At the widest area there are 25 tracks that may or may not have railroad cars on them. Since there are so many tracks in this area, it is very dangerous to cross for the simple reason that a person crossing the tracks may not know if there are other railroad cars that are moving. A slow-moving railroad car is probably more deadly than a speeding train. If a person should cross and be snagged by a slow-moving car, it is possible that he/she will be dragged for a great distance before getting free. The possibility of extreme injury or death is quite high. People have been killed on these very same tracks in those very same circumstances. Please use common sense and do not cross the tracks other than at the marked crossings, 42nd Street and DeMers Avenue, the Columbia Road overpass, and the Washington Street underpass. The least of your worries is the criminal charge if caught crossing the tracks unsafely, as there is a very good chance that you may not make it across the tracks at all. Use common sense, use the crossing. — UND Police.