Last Friday, Sheila Singer and her 2-year-old son were struck and killed while taking a shortcut across railroad tracks in Derry. Two of the 37-year-old mother's children who were with her watched in horror.

In July, a 15-year-old was killed at the same crossing. As the body count mounts, officials of the Westmoreland County community are justifiably concerned. Three accidental but avoidable deaths within several months are three too many -- and more than a borough of 2,900 should have to absorb.

But it isn't the fault of Norfolk Southern that Derry has seen a spike in railroad-track deaths. For generations, pedestrians have taken the shortest and most convenient route between the northern and southern parts of town by taking their chances crossing the tracks.

Since last week's tragedy, local police have stepped up their patrols of the crossing. They're writing citations for trespassing, which carry a fine of up to $300, but they can't get everyone. When the police move on to deal with real law enforcement, the flow of foot traffic across the tracks resumes.

A taxi or shuttle service has been suggested as one solution, but that's impractical. Derry needs an overhead walkway. The people traffic across the tracks justifies it, but the expense -- up to $1 million -- strikes fear of a tax increase in some residents.

It is hard to imagine that state and federal money would not be available to cover a large part of the cost. This should be a top priority for lawmakers like U.S. Rep. John Murtha, state Sen. Kim Ward and state Rep. Joseph Petrarca.

Such aid plus local dollars could address this community safety problem of the first degree.

Police officers should be deployed elsewhere in the borough, not in patrol cars parked at the crossing, and $300 citations are the last thing needed by Derry residents of modest means.

It's time for the borough to start planning its way out of this hazard. And if public money has to be spent, what can be a better use for it than keeping mothers and children safe?

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