Scanning for trouble: Mobilisa increases security capabilities at gate, without wait

By Emily AthensOctober 15, 2010

Mobilisa increases security capabilities at gate, without wait
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Oct. 8, 2010) -- The community is advised to expect minor changes in the current access control verification systems at the installation gate entrances.

"We will be using a force protection tool that allows us to do a quick screening through various law enforcement channels to validate identification," said Rick Vise, chief, Security Operations Branch, Directorate of Emergency Services.

This force protection tool, Mobilisa, is a Defense ID system intended to check information provided on identification documents against over 100 U.S. government databases and to assist with determining the validity of the information, Vise said.

Mobilisa will be used at all access gates on Fort Leonard Wood primarily for non-Department of Defense personnel desiring to gain access to the installation. However, DoD personnel could also be subject to scanning, explained Col. Charles Williams, Fort Leonard Wood garrison commander, in an e-mail.

Testing has been underway, and it is anticipated to be in consistent use by November, Williams added.

Mobilisa looks like a handheld device and is used to read the barcode or magnetic strip on driver's licenses, military IDs and government-issued IDs. The purpose is to match the photo ID with the person presenting it, and to ensure the ID given isn't a fake or has been tampered with. It also checks for expired or terminated IDs, be-on-the-lookout terrorists or suspects and persons on suspension lists or law enforcement wants and warrants lists.

"It isn't time consuming. When we tested it, we did 244 scans in less than an hour," Vise said, reassuring community members that the system will not cause unwarranted delays.

Overall, the integration of the Mobilisa Defense ID system into installation access control procedures will assist in the prevention of unauthorized access onto Fort Leonard Wood, according to officials.

(Editor's note: Emily Athens is a photojournalist with the Fort Leonard Wood GUIDON.)