Sanford residents upset, say SunRail invading their privacy

SANFORD, Fla. — The SunRail commuter train is getting ready to roll out for riders on May 1, but some residents in Sanford who live along the line say their privacy went out the door with the addition of SunRail.

Those residents told Channel 9 SunRail passengers are getting a bird's-eye view over their 8-foot fences and into their homes.

The Godsey family invited Channel 9's Kendra Oestreich to their home and showed her the view from their second-story bedroom window, which gives SunRail passengers and up close and personal look into their home.

The SunRail station is directly behind the Godseys home in the Riverview subdivision, which means the train stops right outside their yard.

Living along the tracks, the family said they knew trains would come by and sound their horns, but SunRail's double-decker passenger train wasn't even on their radar.

"Morning or night, you have to be aware that anyone in that train can peek right in," said Joe Godsey.

On top of that, Godsey said the family can clearly hear the safety announcements coming from the station and are often blinded by the lights coming from the station and train.

"They shine right into these windows so at night we have to have this completely closed and it's still like a nightlight," said Godsey.

When service begins in 12 days, the train will roll through every half hour beginning at 5:06 a.m. and ending at 8:06 p.m.

With some midday relief, it's not enough for many neighbors who just moved into their new homes in the past year and feel kept in the dark about SunRail's impact.

"Something has to be done," said another resident. "Our privacy is being invaded by this train and I need to call Channel 9."

WFTV