Action Line: Liberty Club Violations

  • Published
  • By Col. John T. Quintas
  • 48th Fighter Wing commander
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  

COMPLAINT:

I recently paid a visit to the Liberty Club on both a Friday and Saturday night. I was somewhat disturbed by what I observed.

Firstly, there were smokers everywhere. Some only just outside the door & some only just inside the door. There were numerous bodies and vehicles parked outside at the rear of the Liberty Club. I believe the lane behind the Liberty Club is classified as a fire lane and should remain clear of obstacles.There was a sign attached to the door which said, Emergency Exit.

Also, I saw several instances where unauthorized patrons seemed to be helping themselves and neglecting to pay for what they took!

I believe that there is a base regulation that clearly states that smokers will be 25/50 feet from the building entrance. The Smokers' Area at the side of the Liberty Club is in violation of this regulation as it is attached to the building and an entrance.

Smokers seem to have the upper hand on RAF Lakenheath. I appreciate my space and clean air and do not like it invaded.

RESPONSE:

Thank you for your visits to The Liberty Club; we appreciate your support of club programs and the opportunity to respond to your concerns.

The Liberty Club management utilizes a surveillance system to monitor and record activity inside the bar service areas. This system is used to ensure that only authorized personnel access appropriate areas as well as monitor bar resale operations. In addition to "Authorized Personnel Only" signs being posted at all bar entry points, club management is responsible to monitor bar activity through periodic walk-through assessments and review of the surveillance system. Again, for safety and security purposes, our goal is to ensure only authorized personnel enter the bar service areas.

The Liberty Club staff monitors the fire lane access road to ensure it remains free of vehicles. There are occasions when delivery vehicles temporarily stop for loading and unloading purposes; however, they are not left unattended. The club management will continue to monitor and ensure that unauthorized vehicles are not utilizing this road and maintain an unobstructed fire lane. In addition, all club emergency exit doors have signs that indicate their purpose and all exits are kept clear to ensure compliance with base fire codes.

The club is a non-smoking facility therefore signs have been posted throughout the club complex to identify authorized smoking areas located outside the facility. It is our goal to keep the smoking areas at least 25ft from the main entrance and exit areas of the club in order to keep a smoke free building interior. The main smoking area at the Liberty Club is on the left side of the building, outside the slot area. There is a door that leads to the smoking area from the slot area and this is not an entrance to the building since the smoking area is completely fenced. The Club has just purchased an air curtain to hang in the doorway of the interior door to the patio to prevent residual smoke coming in the facility.

The club staff will continue to closely monitor the facility to ensure our guests only utilize approved smoking areas.

In the future the best way to help us resolve the issues you pointed out is to get in contact immediately with the on-duty staff to ensure any violations are handled on the spot.

Thanks again for feedback and support.

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