FORT BENNING, Ga., (March 16 2016) -- The garrison staff, Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Floyd, and I have read much of the social media discussion and concern over the safety of Fort Benning, in light of the three recent intrusions of Fort Benning, and resulting searches, which have occurred the past two months. With that in mind, we want to provide you with some facts on security and crime on Fort Benning. Please know there is no task or responsibility your garrison leadership team takes more seriously than the safety and livelihood of the people who live, work, and train on Fort Benning. It is an around-the-clock mission.
With consideration and respect for our surrounding communities and their law enforcement professionals, I can tell you with great confidence that Fort Benning is the safest community within the surrounding area to live and work. I will go into more detail on the benefits of the gated community we enjoy later in this note, but we do have significantly less crime than the communities around us.
Our daily occurrence rate of larceny is 1. This is 96 percent less than off post. Our daily occurrence rate of property crime is also 1, 97 percent less than off post. Our daily occurrence rate of violent crime (murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault) is almost 0, far less than the 70 percent that is off post. It is important to note that last year Fort Benning had no murders or robberies. For a daily population hovering around 40,000, these are outstanding statistics.
We continue to strive for improvement in public safety through awareness campaigns and pro-active policing techniques. The top three crimes on Fort Benning, in rank order, are DUI, domestic violence (physical and verbal), and assault (all types). Over the past year, they have declined 18 percent, 14 percent and 7 percent respectively.
Fort Benning is a large installation with over 182,000 acres. Building a fence or wall around Fort Benning is not practical, nor would it prevent people from unlawfully entering Fort Benning for very obvious reasons. However, the manned Access Control Points restricting entry to the installation are wonderfully effective and have a powerful deterrent effect.
Since we initiated Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 12 in February 2015, we've issued over 1,650 installation access denials.
Included in those numbers are 54 persons convicted of murder, 112 registered sex offenders and 34 rapists. We did not previously have the ability to vet and screen unwelcomed visitors in such large numbers. HSPD 12 has made us much safer.
Approximately six months ago we upgraded our access control system to run active wants and warrants from nationwide Law Enforcement agencies. Since the integration of this technology we've had fantastic results. It has enabled the Fort Benning Police and Security Guards to detain 508 people with active wants and warrants. In each case the agency submitting the want or warrant was notified and extradition of the fugitive to that agency was enabled by Fort Benning Department of Army Security Guards. The Fort Benning Directorate of Emergency Services detains fugitives and prohibits them from entering the installation every day!
We will never cease improving our security while ensuring gaps do not form, nor complacency set in. Fort Benning is a great and safe place to call home. We intend to keep it that way.
- Col. Andy Hilmes
Garrison Commander
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