For those driving on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, the rules of the road are simple, and yet there are many who still get stopped for traffic infractions. Some of the violations occur even before visitors and residents are allowed to enter the joint base.
"We stop and ticket people at the gate for two main reasons," said Sgt. Troy Trahan from the JBM-HH Directorate of Emergency Services in an interview with the Pentagram. "Some because they have expired registrations, and some registered in Virginia but have expired state inspections."
Those granted access to the joint base should be aware that officers from DES and the 289th Military Police Company are patrolling the roads, according to Trahan.
"We aren't that large of an installation, so we mostly pull people over for speeding or for not obeying stop signs," he said.
A large amount of warnings and tickets are given to those who "California roll," a term used for those who don't make complete stops at the red octagon, according to Trahan.
Once a visitor or resident of the base is pulled over, the procedure is simple and painless when everyone cooperates and knows their roles.
"The MP will pull behind the vehicle they want to stop and put on their lights," said Pfc. Daniel Yeadon, an MP with the 289th. "The person should then pull over to a safe location, out of the way of traffic and stay in their vehicle."
Once the MP approaches the vehicle, the driver should get out their license and registration so that their information can be run through a database. There may be times when multiple officers are present; often, this is due to the patrol supervisor checking on the work of a junior officer, according to DES Director Lt. Col. Macedonio Molina.
The MP is not responsible for telling the driver why they are being pulled over until after the license and registration has been checked.
"The check is to make sure the person is not a threat," said Yeadon. "Also, they may not own the vehicle, which is why we run the license."
If the driver has a concealed carry permit, they should let the officer know. Guns aren't allowed on the installation, but their permit will show up in the system, so it is good to assure the officer that there are no weapons in the vehicle, according to Yeadon.
After the check has been run, the officer will either give the violator a warning or write a citation.
If a citation is written, the officer will tell them where they can go to dispute or pay the ticket. Tickets issued on JBM-HH are brought before the Eastern District of Virginia Federal Court and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Allowing yourself to get frazzled just because there is an armed man or woman in uniform standing at your car window is counter-productive, according to Yeadon.
"The goal isn't to get people in trouble, it is to ensure everyone is being safe on the roads," he said.
Molina echoed Yeadon's sentiment noting that officers are trained professionals who will treat the community with dignity, respect and fairness.
"The best advice I have for all the community members is to follow the officer's instructions and there will be no issues," said Molina.
ANC patrol
Not only are DES officers and the MPs responsible for patrolling JBM-HH and Arlington National Cemetery, they also take care of enforcing safety and security at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 24 hours a day, seven days a week, a change that came about after the Oct. 22, 2014 terrorist attack in Ottawa, Canada, where a sentry was shot and killed while on duty at Parliament Hill, a position similar to that of tomb sentinels.
The hours are difficult but rewarding, according to Yeadon, who is one of the several patrol officers responsible for getting to the cemetery before sunrise to raise two American flags at Arlington House and the Tomb of the Unknowns.
"Not many people get to see the cemetery at that hour," he said. "It is really beautiful to watch the sun rise over Washington, D.C., and to watch the tomb sentinels perform their duties."
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