Garrison officials urge drivers to comply with the speed limits on the installation following an operation earlier this month that resulted in dozens of speeding citations.
Redstone law enforcement conducted selective speed enforcement operations on Feb. 4 and 5 in and around several access control points and reported areas of concern. “We conducted over 70 traffic stops and issued approximately 58 citations for speeding,” Deputy Police Chief Dennis Brown said. Of the 58 citations issued, 42, or roughly 73%, were for speeds of 15 mph or above the posted speed limits.
“That’s something we can’t have,” Brown said at the Feb. 19 Redstone Community Update. “You will continue to see our law enforcement partners out there conducting these speed enforcement missions.”
“The high number of speeding violations is all preventable,” Charlie Carter, the Garrison’s safety and occupational health director, said. “Law enforcement is doing a great job out there to affect change, but they can’t do it alone. It takes all of us to make a difference.”
He said drivers need to plan ahead, eliminate distractions, share the road and use good judgment.
Brown said random antiterrorism measures, or RAMs, for weapons violations will also continue and more message boards will be placed at the gates alerting drivers about illegal and unregistered weapons. Federal law prohibits the possession of firearms or other dangerous weapons on federal facilities by people who are not specifically authorized. Weapons for hunting and sport shooting and those belonging to Redstone housing residents must be registered with the provost marshal’s office, according to Brown.
There were 45 weapons-related arrests in fiscal year 2024, compared to 35 so far in the current fiscal year, Brown said. “We are well ahead of where we were last year at this time in the number of weapons-related arrests.”
Brown called on supervisors and directors to keep briefing their personnel not to bring weapons on the installation.
Those with weapons violations in the current fiscal year included family members, military retirees, contractors, non-Department of Defense personnel, National Guard/Reserve and veterans, according to law enforcement data.
Brian Reinwald, chief of the Protection Division in the Garrison’s Directorate of Emergency Services, addressed RAM procedures at the gates.
“Refusal for a RAM inspection at our gates will get you denied from the installation and potentially get your (installation) access suspended,” he said. “It only takes a few minutes for the guard to do that inspection. Make sure you have your registration, insurance, driver’s license available if you’re selected.”
People with active warrants continue to be identified as they enter Redstone, according to Reinwald.
“If you get a traffic ticket or a citation, make sure you either pay it or go to your court date and take care of that before a bench warrant is put out because you will be stopped at the gates, you will be turned over to law enforcement and potentially end up in jail.”
Social Sharing