This week, the Southern Belle will visit several communities in Louisiana to promote a combination of public safety initiatives.

At a stop in LaPlace, KCS manager of public safety Allen Pepper will host representatives of Louisiana Operation Lifesaver (OL), St. John's Parish, Louisiana Department of Transportation and the Police and Highway Safety Departments.

The purpose of the meeting is to reinvigorate the St. John's Parish Task Force, which has been successful in improving public safety in the Parish by closing crossings and addressing drainage and noise issues related to railroad operations.

On March 26, the Southern Belle will stop in Baton Rouge, where KCS and Louisiana OL will host the three regional finalists of the Louisiana OL Speech Contest on board the train.

During the luncheon, the three finalists will present their speech to the Louisiana OL board of directors and other area judges, who will decide the winner. Later that evening, the winner will present their OL speech at the Governor's Highway Safety Conference before an audience of 200 teenagers.

By the conclusion of the state-wide speech contest, the OL message will have reached approximately 5,000 students.