SEPTA Police Chief: Trains Hit By Projectiles Are A Common Occurrence
By Marcy Norton
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- Word that both Amtrak and SEPTA trains were hit by projectiles the night of the deadly Amtrak derailment has many wondering how often this kind of thing happens.
"Unfortunately, it is a common occurrence," says Transit Police Chief Thomas Nestel.
Nestel says people along the tracks, usually kids, throw rocks at trains so often that engineers don't always report it. He says usually, throwers miss the target or hit the body of the train, and it they hit a window, it will spiderweb but not shatter.
He says the fact is, fencing can't keep everyone out.
"Are the fences going to be defeated, are our methods going to be defeated to keep out a motivated person that wants to get in there? Yes they will. Is there a perfect system? No," he said.
He says Septa is always working to ensure the fence line is in place and secure, but anyone who sees a hole in the fence should report it.
"When we know, we fix it. We don't want people on those tracks," he says.