PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. -- Brig. Gen. Patrick Burden, Picatinny Arsenal's Senior Commander, hosted an installation town hall meeting, May 12, where the general addressed thoughts, concerns, and questions brought to his attention by the primarily civilian workforce.
"First, I want to thank you for everything you do for our troops around the world," Burden said in the meeting held in the Lindner Conference Center.
"Our number one priority is readiness. Everything you do helps the troops to be ready," he continued.
"I appreciate it and our leaders around the Department of Defense appreciate it."
SEXUAL HARASSMENT ASSAULT/RESPONSE AND PREVENTION
The Senior Commander then allowed Damie Meyer, the installation's Sexual Harassment Assault/Response and Prevention or SHARP, Victim Advocate to address the importance of the SHARP program.
"If we don't know about a problem, it is hard for our leadership to take action," Meyer said.
Meyer suggested that some leaders may think that there is not a problem within their work environment in regards to sexual harassment and sexual assault, but there may still be an issue.
"Just because you do not see it, doesn't mean it isn't happening," Meyer said.
COMMAND CYBER READINESS INSPECTION
The installation as a whole will undergo a command cyber readiness inspection from June 6 to June 10. A cyber team from the Defense Information Systems Agency will inspect the way the workforce uses government computers and protects critical information. Employees are asked to maintain possession of their Common Access Cards at all times and keep a clean desk policy, which consist of not keeping official documents and personally identifiable information out for public display.
AWARDS
Several awards were presented during the town hall, many of which were for recent significant achievements by both teams and individuals. John Troup was the first to be recognized, receiving an Achievement Medal for Civilian Service. Next was Nancy Wolfe, who received an award for exceptional support to deployed warfighters. Wolfe recently deployed to Afghanistan for a six-month period and started a project where she collects and sends care items to deployed troops. The project has garnered local media attention and also has gained the backing of several corporate sponsors.
Burden also recognized 13 individuals who were inducted into the 2016 Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame earlier in the week, including retired Command Sgt. Maj. Larry Taylor, who currently works in the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center's or ARDEC, safety office; and two others who have ties to Picatinny, Carmine Spinelli and Chief Warrant Officer 5 Robert Fairhurst.
Also, members of the U.S. Army Contracting Command, the Picatinny Army Ten-Miler Team, and mentors working on the ARDEC Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Outreach program, were recognized.
ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING
The installation's Emergency Management Specialist, Timothy Jordan, talked briefly in regards to safety and security.
"Unfortunately in the world we live in today, active shooter situations are common, and if there is one thing you take away from this brief presentation are these steps to help protect yourself in the event a situation does occur: "Run, Hide, Fight," Jordan said.
After a short video clip, Jordan reiterated that if further training or information is required, his office can provide a more thorough presentation upon request.
HELP PREVENT FRAUD
Two investigators were introduced to provide their contact information in the event that procurement fraud is detected or suspected. Brian Grant, a special agent working with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command can be reached at 610-891-3985. Also, Michael Dorney, a special agent with the U.S. DoD Defense Criminal Investigative Services can be contacted at 732-819-4263.
AUTOMATED LICENCE PLATE READERS (ALPR's)
Picatinny Arsenal Police Chief Robert Frutchey then addressed what he called "the elephant in the room: the new automated license plate readers that are situated at the access control points around the arsenal.
"This is not a new technology," Frutchey said. "Everywhere you go these systems are being put into place."
"This is about the safety and security of the 6,000 plus people on this installation," Burden added.
Below are some of the items addressed:
Will the data be used to track employees?
We are allowed to operate ALPR's in agreement with the state of New Jersey under AG Guidelines 2010-5. We can only use data for the following bona fide Law Enforcement purposes:
•Alert or Hit on a specific license plate.
•Crime Scene Query which is checking data at or near the location of a Crime scene.
•Criminal Event a specific incident that would constitute an indictable crime.
•Crime trend analysis which is analytical review of ALPR data to detect criminal patterns.
What can the ALPR data be used for?
-It can only be used for official and legitimate law enforcement purposes.
Who can access the ALPR system data?
-The data can only be accessed by Law Enforcement personnel who are trained operators and designated by the Chief of Police.
What oversight is in place?
-The oversight is controlled by the New Jersey State Police who are the provider of the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). Oversight includes:
•Annual Audit of required records to include Officer Certifications.
•Proper use and employment of all CJIS systems.
•All required access documentation of anyone accessing any CJIS system to include ALPR.
•Sanction Plan for all and any non-compliance.
What data shows on the ALPR system?
-The data that is shown is only displayed for an alert or "hit" listed on previous slide. It only shows the Plate, Year, Make, Model of the vehicle and what list and where the hit originated. It does not display registered owner, individuals inside the vehicle, or driver. Basically no PII is attached to the individual(s) inside the vehicle.
What is the next step for the police once a "hit" is received?
-A traffic stop will be conducted by the dispatched police officer on the vehicle in question and will be radioed to the Police Desk. The officer assigned to the Police Desk will enter the NCIC Section of CJIS and to verify the "hit" is valid and verify the vehicle is correct. Corrective action will be taken based on the offense.
What are the security requirements of stored data?
-All ALPR stored data must be kept in a secure data storage system with access restricted to authorized persons. Our data will be on the secure server located in Building 173, Police HQ's.
What's the difference between stored positive alert data (hit) from non-alert data?
-Positive alert data will be stored in such a manner to distinguish itself from non-alert data to ensure that any use and disclosure of PII during analysis of non-alert data occurs only as authorized. Positive alert data may as appropriate be transferred into the appropriate case file or report.
CAC READERS AND BUILDING ACCESS
Tim Hendrickson, Chief, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization, and Security announced that his organization has moved to the lower level of Building 119 where Army Community Services were previously located. He stated that the Visitor Control Center can install building access on CACs between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday thru Friday, and the police department and physical security can do it by appointment starting in June.
AMMUNITION AMNESTY PROGRAM
The installation's first Amnesty Day will be held on October 6. This is an opportunity for installation employees and residents only to deposit unused ammunition (.50 caliber and smaller) in drop boxes next to the salt domes, as part of the ammunition amnesty program.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Several upcoming events were announced:
Blood Drives at the Cannon Gates Catering and Conference Center -- May 20, May 27, August 26, September 2
Frog Falls Aquatic Park opens for 17th season -- May 28
All Saints Ball -- June 11
Change of Command -- Garrison -- June 14
Picatinny Community Day -- July 14
August 27 -- Mud Run
Full Scale Exercise -- September 19-23
Social Sharing