This past week, the State of Illinois introduced a new initiative geared towards safety near and around railroad crossings.

Being a community built around the rail lines that run through it, the Clinton Police Department felt it would be a perfect effort to join in on. Police Chief Ben Lowers says this week they've increased patrols near busy rail crossings in hopes of shedding light on laws that are sometimes overlooked.

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The Chief says the focus of the week it to just bring awareness to being alert at crossings, where accidents have been on the rise in recent years across the state.

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As hunters soon begin to gear up for the 2014 hunting season, Chief Lowers indicates it is also illegal to hunt on railroad property. He says any accident on the railway is a serious incident, and he hopes to just raise awareness of honoring the crossing guards and the flashing lights, no matter the proximity to an on coming or passing train.