Residents living along an abandoned stretch of railroad tracks in Fullerton asked the city council for help during public comments at the March 3 City Council meeting, saying the neglected rail corridor has become a source of ongoing crime, safety concerns and stress for nearby families.

Multiple homeowners who live adjacent to the unused tracks — which residents say have not been active since around 2009 — spoke about repeated incidents of trespassing, theft, vandalism, illegal dumping and fires occurring along the corridor behind their homes.
Damon Micalizzi, a resident of Cienega Drive whose property borders the tracks, said the situation has escalated over the years despite repeated calls to the police for service.

“Over the years, we’ve documented hundreds of calls for service to the Fullerton Police Department for trespassing, vandalism, theft, break-ins, illegal dumping and other criminal activity occurring on and around the tracks,” Micalizzi told the council.

According to Micalizzi, his home has been broken into twice and burglarized once. In 2021, a fire started by a homeless encampment along the tracks caused significant damage to his property.

The incidents are among those referenced in an ongoing lawsuit filed by residents against Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway in Orange County Superior Court, alleging that the railroads have failed to maintain or secure the abandoned right-of-way properly.
Micalizzi also pointed out that the tracks sit at a significantly higher elevation than the backyard walls of neighboring homes, raising safety and privacy concerns.

“That elevated position gives individuals a clear bird’s-eye view into our backyard and into our home,” he said. “The loss of privacy and security is deeply unsettling.” He added that the ongoing issues have taken a toll on his family. “The repeated criminal activity and constant uncertainty have traumatized my wife and children,” he said.

Neighbor Stephen Benedetto, who shares the same fence line along the tracks, echoed those concerns. He said years of neglect have turned the area into what he described as a “dangerous corridor.”

“Break-ins, fires, constant criminal activity and over 100 police calls,” Benedetto said. “That neglect since 2009 has made this a dangerous corridor for our families.”

Another nearby resident, Justin Kim, said his property along Imperial Highway faces similar challenges from both the tracks and a neighboring commercial parking lot. Kim explained that his home is one of only a few properties along a long stretch of Imperial Highway with a six-foot wall rather than the taller 14-foot barriers seen elsewhere, making it easier for activity along the rail corridor to spill into his property.

“Regularly, weekdays and weekends, I’m picking up glass, trash, occasional syringes, marijuana buds — you name it,” Kim said.
Kim also raised concerns about poor lighting and overnight truck parking in a nearby commercial lot, which he said creates opportunities for illegal activity.

Despite the ongoing problems, residents said they appreciate the responsiveness of city leaders and law enforcement.
Speakers thanked Council Members for meeting with neighbors about the issue, and praised the Fullerton Police Department for responding quickly to calls. However, residents said suspects are often gone by the time officers arrive, due to the rail corridor’s secluded nature.

Residents urged the City Council to formally contact the railroads responsible for the tracks and demand immediate action. They asked the city to request stronger security measures such as fencing, vegetation management, regular patrols and a clear timeline for addressing hazards along the property.

They also asked the city to coordinate with railroad police and invite railroad representatives to appear at a future council meeting to discuss the issue publicly.

“We love our neighborhood, and we love our city,” Micalizzi said. “We just want this taken seriously.”

Residents also asked the city to provide a public update at a future council meeting on any progress made in addressing the long-standing concerns.