Security Forces beef up patrols, keep base safe Published Oct. 28, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. Rey Ramon 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Lights flashing, sirens blaring. A police vehicle rushes by to respond to a vehicle accident, or maybe to just pull a vehicle over for not abiding traffic laws on Kadena. "We have boosted the patrols in housing and other key areas," said Capt. Clay Nichols, 18th Security Forces Squadron operations officer, "to combat the spike of vehicle accidents, excessive speeding, and inattentive driving throughout the installation." Due to short manning, the 18th SFS is developing new and innovative ideas to help reduce the mishaps and traffic violations that have been occurring since the beginning of October. One way is the use of a model cutout of an Airman holding a speed radar detector. We place the cutout in certain places to deter speeding, the captain said. "It achieves its point to slow the individuals down in those key areas around the schools, crosswalks and gates," he added. According to the captain, security forces have responded to 88 major accidents and 799 minor accidents since January. Of those accidents, 378 were on base and 509 off base. Captain Nichols said in the past seven days Kadena has experienced 26 accidents. The major causes for the accidents are inattentive driving, failure to adjust to road conditions, and speeding. In addition to the accidents, security forces patrols have issued 334 tickets to traffic violators. The captain recommends for drivers to slow down and maintain a good situational awareness on the road, its conditions, and speed limits to not only avoid citations, but to help maintain the safe living environment on Kadena. "We've established a new traffic section whose primary purpose is to go out and enforce those standards via speed radar or writing tickets for unauthorized parking," he said. One of the traffic enforcement teams, Tango 1, keep themselves vigilant in the areas they are assigned to keep a safe and secure environment for all personnel on Kadena, particularly around the school areas. When Airman 1st Class Edward Bailey and Airman 1st Class Laurence Bradley started their first patrol, they noticed drivers breaking many traffic violations near schools, the commissary and base exchange. "We have to be observant when we are out patrolling," Airman Bradley said. "We're watching every vehicle for any discrepancy there is, whether it's improper use of seat belts, speeding, or not using turning signals properly." Captain Nichols believes the members of his squadron have done a good job in their efforts and hopes there continual presence will reduce traffic accidents and deter speeding. He also reminds people on Kadena that "we will be out there."