Driver speeds through gate at Selfridge!

MacombMonitor · #1 (**permalink**) 04-05-2006, 12:43 PM

The fact that this can even happen is unbelievable, and and embarrassing! This is a Government Air Base for God's sake! You would think they'd would have a secured gate that could stop a tank. But an open gate that anyone can just zoom though with a car? It's probably manned with an outsourced civilian security guard, with no gun. That is crazy! What if that car was full of C4! I guess 9/11 didn't sink in!

Driver speeds through gate at Selfridge
http://www.macombdaily.com/stories/0...ridge001.shtml

SEMTTP · #2 (**permalink**) 04-05-2006, 01:27 PM

This guy is so very lucky that he was not SHOT on the spot!! Since 9/11 we have become safer, but this makes me believe that if they can do that in our own back door.....really what can a terrorist do??

That guy should have been shot and no questions asked.

tutakt · #3 (**permalink**) 04-05-2006, 01:37 PM

He drove through so fast he couldn't have read the "use of deadly force is authorized" sign.

seamusg · #4 (**permalink**) 04-05-2006, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEMTTP

This guy is so very lucky that he was not SHOT on the spot!! Since 9/11 we have become safer, but this makes me believe that if they can do that in our own back door.....really what can a terrorist do??

That guy should have been shot and no questions asked.

That guy should have been shot, I heard some of it on 407.25 (DOD PD). That's the gate that is suposed to get rebuilt. As I understand it anyone with a current sticker is just flaged through, before this. If things are normal, they don't have permission to just shoot, it's very rare for a commander to give a standing order to shoot someone who runs the gate.

tbnmaster · #5 (**permalink**) 04-05-2006, 01:54 PM

Well, this is an Air National Guard base, which is probably why at this certain gate there my have not been anyone there at the time (although if there was I don't understand why they don't do 100% I.D. checks). I'm not sure if the ANG bases have civilian security, but at most bases they are fully armed. Also, just running the gate doesn't necessarily mean deadly force will be used. There is a checklist of about 1,000 different things that have to happen before security forces can even pull a weapon on you. This actually happens a lot more than you think, which is why I'm surprised this even made any type of news headline.

seamusg · #6 (**permalink**) 04-05-2006, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbnmaster

Well, this is an Air National Guard base, which is probably why at this certain gate there my have not been anyone there at the time. I'm not sure if the ANG bases have civilian security, but at most bases they are fully armed. Also, just running the gate doesn't necessarily mean deadly force will be used. There is a checklist of about 1,000 different things that have to happen before security forces can even pull a weapon on you. This actually happens a lot more than you think, which is why I'm surprised this even made any type of news headline.

SANG always has someone at the main gate and crash barriers at closed gates. I believe the gards are civilian DOD employees, and they are armed.

MacombMonitor · #7 (**permalink**) 04-05-2006, 03:23 PM

Same issues when I worked at General Dynamics Land Systems Division (the Army Tank guys), in Sterling Hts, MI. They had civilian security guards at the gates at all times. The problem was, they didn't do their job properly. All employees had photo I.D. badges that had to be checked before entry was allowed. If vendors, or other "outsiders" wanted to enter the property they had to be met at the gate by an employee, and escorted where ever they went. Very often vendors were told simply to wave their drivers license, or credit card, and they'd get though. Then we'd find them wondering around the plant looking for the person they were suppose to see. It was very common for the guards on the night shift to fall asleep. They had no special training, no weapons, and no ability to be a serious challenge to an adversary!

Years ago, when Edison opened the Fermi-II Nuclear plant, only one guard on the property was allowed to carry a gun, and it had only one bullet! It was called the "Shift Bullet", because it would be exchanged with the security guard coming on the next shift. What a joke!

tutakt · #8 (**permalink**) 04-06-2006, 06:22 AM

Please pardon my attempt at humor regarding deadly force. It is autorized in some circumstances but probably not in this instance.

The gate is norally manned by DOD police and there is a 100% ID check in place. Even if it was a military guard on duty, without a physical barrier, or car in front of the vehicle, someone can just accerate past the checkpoint.

Security improvements are constantly being reviewed and work has begun on the new base entrance barriers and procedures.

I think the important thing to remember is that the driver was stopped and it is a lesson learned.

MacombMonitor · #9 (**permalink**) 04-06-2006, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tutakt

The gate is norally manned by DOD police and there is a 100% ID check in place. Even if it was a military guard on duty, without a physical barrier, or car in front of the vehicle, someone can just accerate past the checkpoint.

Security improvements are constantly being reviewed and work has begun on the new base entrance barriers and procedures.

I think the important thing to remember is that the driver was stopped and it is a lesson learned.

Why would they not already have a closed gate, or spike bars at the entrance? This is not the first time something like this has happened there. What lessons have they learned?

The driver was not stopped immediately, and if he had ill intentions, he probably would have had the time to carry out his plan.

tutakt · #10 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacombMonitor

Why would they not already have a closed gate, or spike bars at the entrance? This is not the first time something like this has happened there. What lessons have they learned?

This winter, while driving from to New York and Florida I stayed at three military bases. (It was very interesting trying to enter an installation while towing a cargo trailer full of furniture.) All the bases were having their entrance gates reworked for improved security. I wasn't really surprised when Selfridge announced they were getting an new complex.

While I am no expert in security, I do know that there are several levels of security depending on current threats. It also takes available funds and priority levels before all the newest measures can be in place at a given installation. Don't forget, the gate is only perimiter security. Once on an installation there are areas on any base that have a much higher level of security and are protected differently including vehicle barriers capable of stopping a vehicle.

Some examples of vehicle security barriers available can be seen at this link.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/securi...appe.htm#fige7

MacombMonitor · #11 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 07:57 PM

They had some screwy instances again yesterday, and today at the gate. Seems to be a popular place for weirdos!

AEofficer116 · #12 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 11:44 PM

they are doing a training exercise todat saturday for an attack on the base......

jjjarvis · #13 (**permalink**) 04-12-2006, 08:40 PM

I read thru these other posts......this gate is only open during high traffic times (morning, lunch, evening). It is the closest to the tower and air strip and when open is manned by armed security - not reserve crazy marines looking to use their M16's. there are baracades that are designed to prevent a high speed entrance - but they were relaxed during this particular time. It is important that we do not loose sight of the fact that Selfridge can be a significant "soft" target. Any security measures should be embraced and not added to a multitude list of insignificant complaints.

seamusg · #14 (**permalink**) 04-12-2006, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjjarvis

I read thru these other posts......this gate is only open during high traffic times (morning, lunch, evening). It is the closest to the tower and air strip and when open is manned by armed security - not reserve crazy marines looking to use their M16's. there are baracades that are designed to prevent a high speed entrance - but they were relaxed during this particular time. It is important that we do not loose sight of the fact that Selfridge can be a significant "soft" target. Any security measures should be embraced and not added to a multitude list of insignificant complaints.

The gate on Jefferson and Rosso is the main gate, I thought that this gate was always open.

kc8bdk · #15 (**permalink**) 04-13-2006, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamusg

The gate on Jefferson and Rosso is the main gate, I thought that this gate was always open.

The MAIN gate IS Rosso and Jefferson.. the one that jjjarvis is talking about is "Joy gate" at the end of henry B. Joy Blvd. this USED to be the main gate.

However, while the REAL main gate gets its facelift.. Joy Gate WILL be the main entrance. its the only gate a semi can get through.

as of this morning, however, the Hydro barriers at Joy gate were full and they were placed along the gate... so the Base Commander has closed Joy Gate for the time being

ALL gates are guarded by Security... with backup from USAF Security Forces... those are the guys with the '16's and know how to use them!!

seamusg · #16 (**permalink**) 04-14-2006, 09:43 AM

Man is held on airbase charge

Macomb Township resident accused of speeding onto Selfridge on mission from God.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...604140354/1014

MacombMonitor · #17 (**permalink**) 04-14-2006, 09:46 AM

It is unbelievable after reading that story that this guy didn't get shot dead, on site!

seamusg · #18 (**permalink**) 04-14-2006, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacombMonitor

It is unbelievable after reading that story that this guy didn't get shot dead, on site!

He didn't reach 120mph.

Chief71 · #19 (**permalink**) 04-14-2006, 10:26 PM

I don't know if selfridge has these, but when I was at the Alpena CRTC last weekend they have these walls that are 4ft thick in the road! They are about 150ft away from the guard shack and are stored in the ground. I'm curious to see what they would do to a car when they shoot up, out of the ground. I'm sure its a guaranteed stopper if it works right.

bigbluemsp · #20 (**permalink**) 04-14-2006, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacombMonitor

It is unbelievable after reading that story that this guy didn't get shot dead, on site!

I remember the last chase MSP had that crashed the gate then went back through to NB then up M29. The USAF Security Forces guys shot the car up a few times but the guy was so high that he never heard the shots pop off..

He ended up putting his car in the aquaduct in Clay Twp......

That was back in 2000