BARRINGTON, Illinois—In the aftermath of the tragic death of a local teenager, the Village of Barrington is ramping up safety measures at rail crossings near Barrington High School. Marin Lacson, 17, was fatally hit by a Metra train in January while attempting to cross the tracks. Officials have responded by voting to increase the number of crossing guards and to boost their pay, with the village board recently approving a rate hike from $16 an hour to $20 an hour, CBS Chicago reported.

In a bid to immediately improve safety, the village has opted to not only increase the number of crossing guards but has also been deploying officers at key times at rail crossings. With four more crossing guards to be added, the village intends to also fill existing vacancies. Roma Khan, who founded the Barrington Student Safety Organization, has expressed that the main goal is to enhance safety measures at railroad crossings. Khan told CBS Chicago, "The goal is to improve safety measures at railroad crossings."

According to FOX 32 Chicago, Official statements from the Village have confirmed that alongside the crossing guard contracts, infrastructure improvements are in the works. This includes installing pedestrian gates at important intersections, marking railways more clearly for pedestrians, and constructing underpasses to create a safer path for those traveling across the tracks, especially students commuting to the high school. According to FOX 32 Chicago, federal funding has been secured for an underpass at Main Street, a frequent crossing point for high school students. Village President Karen Darch has stated that a pedestrian gate on Hough and Main Streets should be installed "within a year."

In addition to physical measures, the Village's police department has launched an "aggressive enforcement campaign" to clamp down on motorists violating rail safety devices. In a statement provided by the Village of Barrington, officials highlighted their dual approach to rail safety: "While those details are being reviewed, the Village will continue to assign police officers to help reinforce safety messaging," FOX 32 Chicago detailed. The modern approach to rail safety in Barrington reflects a renewed urgency to prevent future tragedies, such as the one that took the life of young Marin, with the community and its leaders working diligently to ensure that her death was not in vain.