Security
Marchers and viewers attending the Bataan Memorial Death
March should be prepared for increased security and possible delays
prior to the event. Motorists are asked to have their pass
prominently displayed in their windshield and to have their IDs
ready when they are entering the post. Motorists coming in from the
El Paso gate are asked not to come in after 4:45 a.m., or they will
run the risk of being stuck in traffic. Martin Luther King Avenue
will be closed to all traffic at 5:30 a.m. Marchers should plan on
arriving at the gates as early as 3 a.m. and no later than 4:30 a.m.
Motorists coming in between 3 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. should make it on
time. Most importantly motorist and their passengers are required to
have a picture ID readily available. Personnel who do not have a
picture ID will experience lengthy delays outside the gate while
their information is completely checked. Motorists should not be
surprised if they or their vehicle(s) are searched. “Everyone is
subject to search.”
Law Enforcement has selected three primary designated parking areas
and two backup areas. Marchers will receive their vehicle visitor’s
pass during registration. It is important that the pass not be
displayed should marchers leave the installation. The pass should be
put away in a safe place until they return to post to help prevent
participants from experiencing loss of the pass or becoming a
possible target of any type. There will be multiple security parking
teams present to assist participants when they arrive at the
pre-designated parking areas around the intersection of Ripley
Street and Martin Luther King Avenue. Motorists coming in through
the Las Cruces and El Paso gates the day of the event will be guided
by traffic control personnel at the intersections, and some areas
will be closed for thru traffic. These traffic control personnel
will guide motorists all the way to the parking area to optimize
traffic flow.
Except for emergency vehicles, the Las Cruces gate will be closed to
outbound range traffic between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. on the day of the
march. Motorists should make arrangements to avoid being delayed on
post during these hours.
Donald R. Morrison, Director of Emergency Services, said there will
be several law enforcement agencies that will be supporting this
year’s event. The agencies will be assigned to zones along the March
Route and around the venue area. Marchers and guest need to be
aware that rucksacks and backpacks will not be allowed in the
ceremonial tent, and that there is a pre-designated pack storing
area, which will be located on the northeast corner of Martin Luther
King Avenue and Sierra Street, directly across from the Frontier
Club.
Bataan participants outside of the
local area traveling with concealed weapons permits may enter White
Sands Missile Range if they register the weapons and comply with New
Mexico law and White Sands Missile Range procedures regarding
transportation and storage requirements. Participants with concealed
weapons permits may pre-register weapons with Law Enforcement
Division, Directorate of Emergency Services or at the Las Cruces
Gate Reception Center. Privately owned weapons may not be carried on
WSMR, even if the owner has a concealed carry permit.
These weapons must be secured in a locked safe in the
billeting room, or stored / transported in the owner's vehicle IAW
the requirements listed below.
Pre-registration is the preferred method of registration due
to the anticipated large numbers of participants. Registration forms
and information may be requested from Department of the Army, White
Sands Missile Range, Attn: Directorate of Emergency Services, Law
Enforcement Division, Police Records and Administration (Phyllis
Quintana), White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002 or at the Las Cruces
Gate Reception Center.
Police Records point of contact information is Phyllis Quintana,
575-678-3317,
phyllis.quintana@conus.army.mil.
Note: These instructions should be with the registration form and at
the gate. (Ms Quintana from DES Police Records will do this for
pre-registration and Rick Koehler will have these instructions at
the gate).
Privately owned firearms must be registered with the Directorate of
Emergency Services prior to or upon arrival at WSMR.
Transportation of Privately-owned Firearms. Privately-owned firearms
which are transported in a vehicle on WSMR must be unloaded and
placed into a compartment of the vehicle that is inaccessible to the
driver and passengers of the vehicle. Ammunition for the firearms
must be transported in a compartment or area separate from the
weapon. Exception:
If no such "inaccessible" area exists, such as in a pickup
truck, sport utility vehicle, or van, the firearms will be unloaded
and transported in the passenger compartment, out of sight, with
ammunition in a separate area of the vehicle.
All privately-owned firearms which are brought onto the WSMR
installation must be registered with the Directorate of Emergency
Services, Law Enforcement Division, through the pre-registration
method or at the Visitor Reception Center located at the Las Cruces
Gate. Registration of the firearms must be accomplished prior to
arrival or upon arrival at WSMR Reception Center, Las Cruces Gate
only.
Privately-owned firearms must be transported in accordance with New
Mexico State laws when off WSMR, and in accordance with Federal and
State laws and this regulation when on WSMR. Weapons may not be
loaded while on WSMR.
