By Joseph P Cirone

NSAW Public Affairs

In the last few weeks, Naval Support Activity Washington’s (NSAW) civilian and military law enforcement personnel have been working harder to ensure people realize they are protecting more than just property. They are serious about saving lives and preventing injuries, too.

In the first 13 days of April, 383 drivers learned firsthand that the NSAW DOD police officers and Master-at-Arms personnel take the law enforcement community’s motto, “To protect and serve,” literally. Those drivers were issued citations for violating motor vehicle laws while on an NSAW installations.

Our people – vital to nation’s defense

Capt. John Sears, NSAW commanding officer commented that “Traffic Safety is vital to mission accomplishment for all Navy commands. We can’t afford to lose a single employee due to unsafe vehicle operation on or off of our installations. Every person is vital to the mission of defending this wonderful country. Traffic safety exists to keep our people safe. Violators of traffic laws undermine that goal and may lead to loss of personnel, man-hours, equipment, and capability. The Navy tickets violators to enforce the rules that keep our people safe.”

Beyond the immediate and obvious impact of the citations issued, vehicular passengers, eyewitnesses on sidewalks, co-workers and friends who see or hear of citations being issued, will also likely alter their driving habits for the better.

42 mph and 44 tickets

“My biggest concern is that someone is going to be seriously hurt,” Cynthia Brown, NSAW director of security said. While not hurt, a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle at the Washington Navy Yard (WNY) in February, according to Cmdr. Richard Tucker, NSAW director of operations. NSAW-wide, the vast majority of citations issued were to drivers who failed to fully stop at stop signs, used excessive speeds, talked on cell phones without using a hands-free capability and failed to yield to pedestrians walking in crosswalks. Of the 383 citations issued, 215 were for moving violations. As many as 73 tickets (44 for moving violators) were issued in a single day. Not surprisingly, the majority of tickets were written at WNY, where the largest concentration of people is, but NSAW law enforcement personnel issued as many as 25 citations in a single day at the Naval Research Laboratory. (Bluetooth devices, headsets and similar technology that cover or are inserted into one of more ears, are not considered hands-free capability at NSAW).

“‘Rolling stops’ in parking garages and exiting parking structures against the posted flow of traffic is prevalent,” Sears said. So too is speeding in the parking structures, according to Tucker, who said, “The posted speed limit is just 5 miles per hour. One driver was ticketed after doing 42.”

An NSAW DOD police officer prepares to issue a citation for a moving violation citation to a driver at the corner of Harwood St. SE and Parsons Ave on the Washington Navy Yard. DOD Police issued 383 citations in a 13 day period to enhance traffic safety, protect lives and property. (U.S. Navy photo by Joseph P Cirone/Released)

Pedestrians and bumps in the road

“Due to the alarming increase of speeding, speed bumps are being installed as traffic safety tools,” according to Michael Beyrle, NSAW deputy operations officer for WNY and the National Maritime Intelligence Center in Suitland, Md. “Speed bumps have been installed at WNY on the east and west side of building W-104 (Isaac Hull and Patterson Avenue),” he reported. “More are coming,” Tucker added.

“It is not just the drivers, it is pedestrians, too. They are equally guilty of not obeying safety regulations. They don’t look before crossing, they just walk.” Brown said. Personnel in marked and unmarked police cars, on bicycles and on foot are being used to help remind employees to drive and walk safely. Beyrle offered safety tips for both groups – “Drivers, slow down and save a life. Pedestrians, cross at a crosswalk and look both ways before you cross.”

            Expressing concern for employee safety, Sears recently told NSAW leaders, “We are a great Navy with great people serving the finest country in the world. Let’s work together to reduce the threat to our people and mission. I ask each of our leaders to address the issues and elements of traffic safety with their employees.”

            NSAW’s law enforcement personnel are helping pass the word and they feel good about their role in helping the Navy meet its mission and keeping its people safe. Police officer Jim Liverette expressed the feelings of many of his fellow officers, “I feel good about what I do. Enforcing traffic safety laws makes it a safer place to work for the Navy’s military, civilian and contractor personnel. We’re watching out for them.” Police officer Kwasi Blair said his fellow officers are also aware that they are contributing to the overall Navy mission. “Morale in the police department is up. Officers are smiling and happy. They have a positive outlook and are glad to be contributing in a positive way. Upper management is showing they are looking out for the public and that they are pro-law enforcement. I feel good coming to work,” he said.

Price to pay

Police officers and MAs personally delivered the traffic safety message along with the citations, yet some drivers failed to change their driving habits. According to Brown, “Some [law enforcement] stops involved the same driver and vehicle previously cited.”

Failing to follow the law can get costly and make it harder to get to work. Repeat offenders ultimately lose the ability to drive and park on the installation, according to Sears. “We have plenty of tickets available to write. Parking is severely limited, on the Navy Yard in particular. The cost to park off base is eight dollars a day. That out of pocket cost could be as high as $2100 per work year. People are making very expensive decisions when they fail to drive with care,” he concluded.