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Residents urge Fullerton to pressure railroads over abandoned tracks after years of trespass, theft and fires
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Summary
Multiple residents told the council that abandoned railroad tracks near Harbor and Imperial have been sites of repeated trespass, illegal dumping, vandalism and a 2021 fire; they asked the city to send formal letters to railroad companies, coordinate joint patrols and invite railroad representatives to a future meeting.
Several Fullerton residents addressed the council to describe chronic safety and property‑damage problems tied to an abandoned railroad corridor near Imperial Highway and Harbor. Neighbors said the corridor has been neglected for more than a decade, creating conditions for trespass, vandalism, illegal dumping and periodic fires.
"These tracks were last used around 2009 and have effectively been abandoned and ignored by the railroads ever since," resident Damon Michelizzi told the council, saying his family’s home had been burglarized and his property damaged by a 2021 fire he attributed to a nearby encampment. He asked the council to send formal letters to Union Pacific and BNSF asking for secure fencing, vegetation management, regular patrols, and a timeline for corrective action, and to coordinate joint patrols between railroad police and the Fullerton Police Department.
Other residents described similar experiences: repeated calls for service (one speaker said more than 100 calls), safety concerns from poor lighting in adjacent commercial parking areas, and public‑health concerns from discarded syringes and other debris. Several speakers praised councilmembers for responsiveness and asked for a future agenda item inviting railroad representatives to discuss corrective measures.
Councilmembers acknowledged the seriousness of residents' complaints and directed the city manager and city attorney's office to review legal options and coordinate further action with police and code enforcement. Staff indicated that the city would return with options for formal correspondence and possible joint enforcement strategies.
No formal settlement or enforcement action against the railroads occurred at the meeting; residents said they have existing litigation in Orange County Superior Court against railroad companies, and council direction focused on staff follow‑up rather than immediate remedial work by the city.
