Hello - My name is Jennifer Oberg-Perna and on 12/20/15 my 16 year old son Cody Parenteau was hit and killed instantly on by a BNSF train while walking the tracks in Coon Rapids, MN near Northdale Blvd. He was wearing earbuds and did not hear, see, or feel the train until the last moment when he looked over his shoulder and tried to get out of the way but unfortunately he did not make it. To hear of his death and the manner it which is happened continues to shock and traumatize me. Weeks after his death, I started speaking with his friends, asking them if this was something he normally did and surprisingly they all said 'yes, WE did it all the time". As I started having conversations with citizens, older than my son, they too, admitted they spent many a childhood walking railroad tracks. I was shocked. I learned from Cody's accident report that he was trespassing on railroad property, yet, when I walked near the rails and paths where he had taken many times, there are no signs anywhere that say 'No Trespassing, Railroad Property''.  One area, in one direction of the trails that are near the rails there is a sign reads "Crossing Railroad Tracks..." and the last word is faded out and painted over in blue, yet, I'm assuming it says 'Prohibited".  This is the only sign that says anything about the rails and there is no other sign on the other side, nor is this sign effective or up-kept as the most important wording on it is faded. I was also shocked at the site of Cody's accident and the fact that rental townhomes with children are on one side and assisted living townhomes are on the other . 100 feet away from the crash site is a large park that is in the midst of a makeover, that will make it even more attractive to children and families.

Weeks after my son's death, a friend made me aware of Minnesota Statute 219.31 that states railroads are required by Minnesota law to "build and maintain good and substantial fences on each side of all lines of its railroad."
Since that moment, and after a lot of research on other railroad/pedestrians incidents, I am baffled why BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad), who owns this property, continues to ignore this law and will only comment on how patrolling the rails, railroad education and following no trespassing signs should keep people safe and/or keep them away. Obviously, there is a huge safety issue here as new homes and parks encroach near the rails. If statistics like Minnesota ranks 15th in the nation for the highest number of highway-rail crossing collisions and 12th for fatalities sit well with you, well, it DOES NOT with me. And if the total of 5 deaths in 2015 is 'not that bad' shouldn't the goal be zero? I'm appalled at BNSF's ignorance of this law and the fact that there are NO signs that say no trespassing in this area. I'm also appalled that no one in the city or state seems intent on enforcing it, even after Cody's death. I'm asking for your help in getting the word out; i'm asking for your help in educating and helping me get lawmakers to uphold this law and getting BNSF to recognize their lack of safety in the area where Cody died.

I don't remember Cody, nor did my 11 year old daughter ever get any 'railroad safety' education at school. Obviously, our home isn't near tracks and I would never allow them to walk tracks had I known, but as our kids get older, as they get more and more distracted with cell phones, ear buds, etc, this basic fencing law must be upheld and the railroad must take action so they can protect THEIR property, their employees and our citizens. My son paid the ultimate consequence for his choice that day. I recognize this and agonize over this daily. However, after reading this MN law, and walking where he walked and not seeing any fencing or signs, I have to wonder had there been a fence, had this law been upheld, would he still be here today? My instinct says yes, however, due to the law not being upheld, that question can't truly be answered.  The mayor of Coon Rapids doesn't feel putting up 'No Trespassing" signs are worth it; BNSF feels putting up fencing would still not deter from walking on the tracks.  Their answer seems to be 'do nothing and hope for the best'.  Education is a good step, but just like everything, it's not enough.  More needs to be done to prevent this.  This not only affects me and my family, but has far, outreaching trauma that affects his friends, family, the community, police officers on the scene that day, the community that was witness to the crash and the BNSF employees who were on the train that day. Their company is doing them a disservice by not following the law. I'd like to say to BSNF, to the mayor of Coon Rapids and to our MN legislature and those in Washington that regulates and protects railroads: Isn't it ALWAYS better to be know you are following the law than to just assume no one will follow it and do nothing?
Please join me in signing this petition to protect people, to enforce the law and to amend the law to include not only animals and small children (which this statute only protects at this time) but to ALL people.  EVERYONE should be able to benefit from this law.  A fence can go up in one day; I've seen in happen in new construction for shopping malls and new homes.  Why not for a law that could save lives?  Thank you

http://kstp.com/news/coon-rapids-family-of-teen-killed-by-train-pushes-for-safety-measures/4073997/?cat=1

#justiceforcody