PDA

View Full Version : Bill seeks background checks for base visits



thedrifter
05-18-07, 07:49 AM
Bill seeks background checks for base visits
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday May 17, 2007 22:10:13 EDT

A provision of the 2008 defense policy bill passed Thursday by the House of Representatives calls for criminal background checks of nonmilitary people visiting military bases.

Sponsored by members of the New Jersey congressional delegation, the proposal is a response to the arrest of a group of men accused of planning an attack at Fort Dix, N.J., including one who officials say had been studying the base and its security arrangements because he was a pizza delivery man with easy access.

“This individual had actually entered onto the base, memorized the roads and buildings on the base, and had actually drawn a map to provide to other members of the cell who would take part in the attack,” said Rep. Jim Saxton, R-N.J., the chief sponsor of the amendment.

Saxton said he does not intend to “unduly restrict” legitimate civilian activities on or around bases, but he believes there are gaps in security that need to be addressed.

The provision says that any unescorted civilian seeking access to a military base and any civilian employee of a contractor or vendor may not be allowed on the base without a background check that would include searching the FBI’s National Crime Information Center’s electronic records, verifying the citizenship and true identity of the person, and checking for any outstanding arrest warrants or if the person is on a terrorist watch list.

Anyone with a valid Defense Department ID card would be exempted, and base commanders could waive the requirement during community events.

The requirement would take effect when the defense authorization bill for 2008 is signed into law, which is months away.

Saxton visited Fort Dix after the arrests, and said he was “impressed” by the security arrangements. “The checkpoints are manned by heavily armed personnel and they use an assortment of procedures to reduce risk,” he said.

Requiring background checks, he said, “will help provide a higher level of security.”

Ellie