LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Virginia –
To the joy of many Bethel Manor residents, the housing area’s gate guards returned to their posts Wednesday, nearly one year since they were removed.
Residents like Staff Sgt. Mario Garay voiced their happiness, knowing there will be an extra layer of security in addition to roving security forces patrols and the new fence surrounding the housing area.
“We need gate guards and roving patrols to deter small crime,” he said. “You can put up all the gates you want, but it takes a physical presence to deter crime.”
Based on Air Force Instructions, manpower allocated to the 1st Security Forces Squadron, and Air Combat Command’s view that Bethel Manor was considered off-base housing not part of the military installation and, therefore, did not require entry control, the 1st Fighter Wing removed guards from the housing area Feb. 14, 2005.
As soon as the guards were removed, Bethel residents started voicing concern about the security of their children, persons and property. Wing leadership responded by finding the best way to pay for and allocate manpower for added security.
The answer came in the form of government contractors. Effective Wednesday, civilian gate guards from SecTek Inc. began manning the Bethel posts at the main gate along First and Eagle Streets and at the rear gate on Big Bethel Road and Twelfth Street.
“SecTek guards are trained to the same high standards as the 1st Security Forces members and have been an integral part of the squadron since January 2005,” said 1st Lt. Anthony Austin, 1st SFS assistant operations officer. “The addition of SecTek guards and presence of multiple law enforcement patrols in Bethel Manor allows Langley Air Force Base to maintain high levels of security on-base and in military housing.”
The news of the gate guards’ return allowed many Bethel residents to breathe easier.
“It felt like the neighborhood was going downhill since the gate guards were removed,” said Senior Master Sgt. Monique Armant-Little. “It seemed like more teenagers were out getting into trouble.”
Sergeant Armant-Little believes there was a direct correlation between the gate guards’ presence and the amount of crime and illegal activity in the housing area. During a recent Bethel Manor town hall meeting, several residents raised the issue of bringing back guards for the entry control points to help reduce the crime rate in Bethel Housing. Gate guards and roving patrols can only do so much, and security forces and York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office representatives stressed the importance of developing a Neighborhood Watch program so residents can take control of their own communities.
“A concerted effort by the residents of Bethel Manor will push criminal activity into another neighborhood,” quips Deputy Aaron Rosen, county crime prevention specialist, of the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office while hosting meetings about the neighborhood watch program. “But if all the communities can get together, we can push crime right out of York County.”
Neighborhood Watch Programs are considered one of the most effective means available for keeping crime out of neighborhoods, according to the Virginia Crime Prevention Association. Sergeant Armant-Little considers the program a throwback to the old days where neighbors watched out for one another.
“I guess I’m just old school,” she said. “I still think it’s important to watch out for your neighbors and your community.”
Patricia Altland, an Air Force spouse and Bethel resident agrees.
“I’m usually gone most of the day,” she said. “It would make me feel pretty good to know my neighbors are watching out for me.”
Deputy Rosen said residents should set the bar high for behavior in Bethel Manor -- do not allow loud music, the squealing of tires, loud or raucous activity -- and call law enforcement every time that bar is crossed. Soon everyone will have the impression that Bethel Manor is not the place to go for illegal activity.
“By letting suspicious activity slide without calling the Sheriff’s Office, you are telling criminals in your area that they have free reign to do whatever they want,” Deputy Rosen said. “Never feel that you are bothering us by calling; that is what we are here for.”
Watching over Bethel Manor
In an effort to address these concerns and better serve the residents of Bethel Manor housing, the SecTek guards will be posted and will allow unescorted entry to all authorized personnel and vehicles meeting the following requirements:
All individuals in possession of valid DoD credentials.
All vehicle operators must show valid credentials to enter the area. Visitors to Bethel Manor must be sponsored by an active duty member or dependant over the age of 16 and be in possession of an AF Form 75 (visitor’s pass).
All properly marked government owned vehicles and privately owned vehicles displaying a valid DD Form 2220, or vehicles displaying a valid AF Form 75, Visitor’s Pass. Vehicles not displaying a valid DD Form 2220 will be stopped and DD Form 2 ID or other appropriate credentials will be requested for entry.
Visitors attending a public event sanctioned by the installation commander -- allowed entry and will not require an EAL during the prescribed time.
Civilian commercial vehicles arriving for a scheduled pick-up or delivery. Drivers must produce a valid bill of lading. Drivers without a bill of lading must obtain a visitor’s pass and be sponsored on by an authorized resident.
School buses -- after the entry controller has checked the driver’s ID card. Student IDs will not be inspected.
All other vehicle operators not listed must obtain visitors’ passes and be sponsored on by an authorized resident. Expired passes will be confiscated. For details, call the 1st Security Forces Squadron operations staff at 764-7766.