New 24-hour walk-in gate to debut at Taylor entrance

By Hiro Chang, Presidio of Monterey Public AffairsFebruary 5, 2010

PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. -- The Presidio of Monterey Taylor Street Gate will soon be open all-day, everyday, at least for walk-in personnel possessing a Common Access Card.

The gate is a proactive approach to serve the personnel assigned here, said Tai Cao, Presidio of Monterey Department of Public Works, meaning POM officials saw an opportunity to offer the students better access to move on and off post.

"Students will have more access and freedom to walk in and out of Taylor Gate, even during the late-night closure," Cao said, adding that "they will also have more freedom to go to Pacific Grove and the beach, so I think it will be good for them."

But with more freedom comes more responsibility, said Ernest Schmidt, Presidio of Monterey anti-terrorism security specialist.

He stressed that people must ensure they don't lose their identification cards.

He explained that there are people with malicious intent who are waiting for the chance to gain access into the Presidio. He said that if an unauthorized person gained access to an ID card, the gate could serve as a negative more than a positive for the personnel here.

"So if you do (lose your ID card), report it immediately so that we can take it through proper channels," he added.

Construction of the gate was originally scheduled during the weekend of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. birthday observance Jan. 18, when infrequent traffic in and out of POM was likely to occur.

However, unexpected rain and weather issues delayed the project, Cao said, adding that the project should resume in early February, as long as the weather cooperates.

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