thedrifter
07-19-07, 06:32 AM
Quantico tightens security MILITARY >> Marines stand firm on 100 percent ID-check policy
Citizens, commuters voice concerns about new security measures at Quantico Town Hall meeting
BY TESS HAMILTON
Date published: 7/19/2007
BY TESS HAMILTON
The official line was understanding, but largely unyielding, at the town hall meeting held yesterday to air resident and employee concerns about Quantico Marine Corp Base's new security measures.
One of the biggest issues, in particular, was the policy of checking the ID of everyone who enters the base.
The new procedures, which began July 3, will not change, despite complaints from commuters.
"What we're going to have to do is work around them," Col. Charles Dallachie, base commander, told the group of employees, government officials and residents gathered at the base theater.
Dallachie was blunt in his assessment of Quantico's security concerns. "I don't have to tell you about the risk," he said, referencing recent terror attacks in Britain and a terror plot uncovered at Fort Dix.
As an open base with relatively lax security procedures, Quantico was well-known as the "softest base in the national capital region," Dallachie said. Other area bases, like Fort A.P Hill in Caroline, already had 100 percent ID-check policies. Quantico was therefore, officials believed, a "very inviting target" for terrorist activity.
The increasing terror threat level, and the open nature of the base led officials to implement more stringent security measures. The most visible--and inconvenient--of these for base employees are the ID checks at each gate.
After the commander's opening remarks about the reasoning behind the new measures, audience members were invited to share their experiences, questions and recommendations with Dallachie and other top base officials.
Quantico has periodically instituted heightened security measures in the past, but these new changes will be a permanent addition to morning commutes and base visits. So far, this has meant long backups at base entrances, a recurring complaint at the meeting.
Multiple commuters spoke about cars they had seen lined up on the side of I-95 before the Quantico exits during the morning rush hour, and the safety hazards posed by frustrated drivers and backed-up traffic. Drivers using U.S. 1 face similar problems.
At peak times, delays can add up to a half-hour to commutes.
The base plans to address traffic backups by widening gates and improving the infrastructure at each base entrance. Dallachie warned, however, that these are long-term goals that will take at least two to three years to implement.
Along with voicing frustrations, employees offered a variety of recommendations: opening more gates, changing traffic patterns to make all gate lanes incoming in the morning, even mandating flex-time for all base commands to help workers avoid rush-hour traffic.
Dallachie said he would take them under consideration. And despite the many complaints, he remained firm in his belief that securing the gates was the "easiest, simplest and most obvious" way to address important security concerns.
Some suggested that the command had not fully considered the consequences of the new measures.
In response, Operations Officer Col. Peter Streng explained that the changes were implemented after a four-month period of research and comprehensive analysis, as well as communication with surrounding government agencies.
"We had a great deal of expert help in thinking through what our greatest threat is," and working to strike a balance between safety and convenience in addressing those threats, Streng said.
"It was no longer worth the risk to do nothing."
Tess Hamilton: 540/374-5000
Email: thamilton@freelancestar.com
ID REQUIREMENTS
Everyone coming on base must show identification, even if your car has a base-issued sticker. Base personnel need valid Department of Defense-issued identification. Contractors and civilians with business on base need a valid state-issued driver's license.
Minors accompanied by a valid sponsor do not need ID, but unaccompanied minors need valid DOD-issued ID.
OTHER CHANGES The base is also instituting random vehicle inspections, "shows of force" at various base locations, increased patrolling by explosives- and narcotics-detecting military working dogs, and increased patrolling of nearby waterways and other areas WHAT YOU CAN DO Have your ID ready when approaching the gates.
Avoid coming to base during peak morning and evening hours.
Investigate other modes of transportation, such as Virginia Railway Express.
Ellie
Citizens, commuters voice concerns about new security measures at Quantico Town Hall meeting
BY TESS HAMILTON
Date published: 7/19/2007
BY TESS HAMILTON
The official line was understanding, but largely unyielding, at the town hall meeting held yesterday to air resident and employee concerns about Quantico Marine Corp Base's new security measures.
One of the biggest issues, in particular, was the policy of checking the ID of everyone who enters the base.
The new procedures, which began July 3, will not change, despite complaints from commuters.
"What we're going to have to do is work around them," Col. Charles Dallachie, base commander, told the group of employees, government officials and residents gathered at the base theater.
Dallachie was blunt in his assessment of Quantico's security concerns. "I don't have to tell you about the risk," he said, referencing recent terror attacks in Britain and a terror plot uncovered at Fort Dix.
As an open base with relatively lax security procedures, Quantico was well-known as the "softest base in the national capital region," Dallachie said. Other area bases, like Fort A.P Hill in Caroline, already had 100 percent ID-check policies. Quantico was therefore, officials believed, a "very inviting target" for terrorist activity.
The increasing terror threat level, and the open nature of the base led officials to implement more stringent security measures. The most visible--and inconvenient--of these for base employees are the ID checks at each gate.
After the commander's opening remarks about the reasoning behind the new measures, audience members were invited to share their experiences, questions and recommendations with Dallachie and other top base officials.
Quantico has periodically instituted heightened security measures in the past, but these new changes will be a permanent addition to morning commutes and base visits. So far, this has meant long backups at base entrances, a recurring complaint at the meeting.
Multiple commuters spoke about cars they had seen lined up on the side of I-95 before the Quantico exits during the morning rush hour, and the safety hazards posed by frustrated drivers and backed-up traffic. Drivers using U.S. 1 face similar problems.
At peak times, delays can add up to a half-hour to commutes.
The base plans to address traffic backups by widening gates and improving the infrastructure at each base entrance. Dallachie warned, however, that these are long-term goals that will take at least two to three years to implement.
Along with voicing frustrations, employees offered a variety of recommendations: opening more gates, changing traffic patterns to make all gate lanes incoming in the morning, even mandating flex-time for all base commands to help workers avoid rush-hour traffic.
Dallachie said he would take them under consideration. And despite the many complaints, he remained firm in his belief that securing the gates was the "easiest, simplest and most obvious" way to address important security concerns.
Some suggested that the command had not fully considered the consequences of the new measures.
In response, Operations Officer Col. Peter Streng explained that the changes were implemented after a four-month period of research and comprehensive analysis, as well as communication with surrounding government agencies.
"We had a great deal of expert help in thinking through what our greatest threat is," and working to strike a balance between safety and convenience in addressing those threats, Streng said.
"It was no longer worth the risk to do nothing."
Tess Hamilton: 540/374-5000
Email: thamilton@freelancestar.com
ID REQUIREMENTS
Everyone coming on base must show identification, even if your car has a base-issued sticker. Base personnel need valid Department of Defense-issued identification. Contractors and civilians with business on base need a valid state-issued driver's license.
Minors accompanied by a valid sponsor do not need ID, but unaccompanied minors need valid DOD-issued ID.
OTHER CHANGES The base is also instituting random vehicle inspections, "shows of force" at various base locations, increased patrolling by explosives- and narcotics-detecting military working dogs, and increased patrolling of nearby waterways and other areas WHAT YOU CAN DO Have your ID ready when approaching the gates.
Avoid coming to base during peak morning and evening hours.
Investigate other modes of transportation, such as Virginia Railway Express.
Ellie