Lapse of Security at Gate of Naval Base Causes Death

Lapse of Security at Gate of Naval Base Causes Death

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Mar 18, 2015

A civilian police officer was standing guard at the gate to the world’s largest naval base, when a man pulled up in his truck. The man wasn’t required to produce his identification or give any reason why he was there as the police officer thought the man was going to make a U-turn. Instead, the man drove his truck straight onto the base, eventually parking it, motor running, near a pier where the USS Mahan and a hospital ship were docked. As soon as the man breached gate security, I would assume the police officer would notify security; however, neither pier security nor security on the ships was notified.

This all took place in 2014, but the Navy is just now completing their investigation of this incident. Identifying the driver of the truck as Jeffrey Tyrone Savage, investigators have reported that he had no legitimate reason to be on base, and even though the investigation is complete, Savage’s motive is still unknown.

At the time, the USS Mahan was undergoing maintenance, so it wasn’t uncommon to see a civilian on the pier. This enabled Savage to simply walk through a pedestrian gate onto the pier without being questioned. Ship security just assumed Savage to be a nonthreatening, intoxicated civilian mariner or worker with authorization to be on base.

Meanwhile, the civilian police officer at the gate, continued with his shift, actually checking identification for the next several vehicles that drove through the gate. It took 9 minutes for the police officer to go looking for Savage, in which he eventually found his abandoned truck. Still, the officer did not notify dispatch and returned to the gate that he was manning.

Savage wandered around on the pier, looking through several tool boxes, before he boarded the USS Mahan in a nonthreatening manner, saying that he “just wanted to talk.” He ignored several calls from military personnel to produce his identification, so a sailor drew her gun. Savage wrestled the weapon from the sailor, which was not secured by a lanyard as required. And, the sailor didn’t shoot Savage because she was unable to disengage the safety lock on the weapon.

Responding to the commotion, Petty Officer 2nd Class Mark Mayo ran onto the ship and jumped between Savage and the other sailor to protect her. Mayo was shot several times by Savage before Savage was shot and killed by Navy security.

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.