Action Line: Fears for security
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --
COMPLAINT:
With all the recent break-ins in the Lord's Walk area why is nothing being done security wise? I know the base cannot do anything about it but I am sure they can work with the British police to do something.
Since we have been moved to the off-base housing I have seen the police in here three times patrolling. I personally have had
things stolen from the front of my house. It happened in Nov. 2007 when my husband's motorcycle was stolen and again at Christmas 2008 when our Christmas tree was stolen from our back yard.
I think when this area went off base we should have at least been offered a new house on base. When I moved here I took this house because it was safe. It is not safe anymore, and I do not like it. I have had numerous people coming to my house asking if my car is for sale, telling me my husband wants the car taken to him at work (when he was upstairs asleep due to being on mid shift), as well as having people try and break into my house and houses around me. When taken to the police, I was told there is nothing they can do for me. When the British police came out for the motorcycle being stolen, they said they would ask neighbors if they saw anything. The guy sat in his car and did nothing. A week later they called and said there was nothing they could do and to have a nice day. Was that supposed to make me feel better?
This is unbelievable that we have to go through this in their country. And then to be told there is nothing the base police will do for
us because we are "off base" is a joke. I want to be safe while living here. With my husband deploying soon I do not know what to do. Go back to the states for the time he is gone and hope nothing happens to my house while I am gone? I have a one year old and want it to be safe for us here. I ask: what is the military willing to do for me and others who feel this way?
RESPONSE:
Thank you for allowing me to address your concern regarding this issue. Please know the security and well being of our team
members and their families is my top priority. It seems the security of Lords Walk Housing has been a topic of discussion for a few weeks now, so it is something that I have taken an interest in. From our studies and historical research on the area, Lord's Walk Housing is a very safe neighborhood. One of your fellow neighbors, who is also a member of the 48th Security Forces Squadron, recently shared his perspective on the security in your area and addressed the concerns of the Lord's Walk Housing community. I'd like to draw your attention to that article, if you have not already seen it; you may view it at http://www.lakenheath.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123182686. I also addressed this issue via another Action Line in October, which you may view at http://www.lakenheath.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123175097. I assure you, if there were evidence to show this area was not safe for our Airmen and their families, I would take action. However, at this time, I think the tips provided in the aforementioned articles will go a long way in making you and others in the area feel more at ease.
Regarding your desire to have been offered a house on base when the gate was relocated, I can understand that perspective. However, this was not an option because Lord's Walk Housing, like Ely, Thetford and Beck Row, is government-leased housing and is considered "base housing outside the fence". Moving from one government set of quarters to another can only occur when there is a change in status that affects what your family "earns" as a MFH entitlement (i.e. promotion, #s of bedrooms, etc). However, if your family has occupied government housing for greater than 12 months, you are authorized to work with the housing office to move into an off-base residence if you would feel more comfortable living in another residential area. Please do not hesitate to contact them to discuss your options; they can be reached at 01638 52 2000.
In closing, rest assured that Suffolk Constabulary is actively working in partnership with the Ministry of Defence Police and our
Security Forces Squadron to ensure your neighborhood is a safe place to live. Don't ever hesitate to dial 999 off base or 911 from an on-base DSN phone for emergencies. You may call 01638 52 2333 for non-emergencies, as well. Emergencies will merit an immediate response, but all other incidents will be prioritized by the responding department. We will continue our very best to ensure Lord's Walk Housing remains a safe place to live.
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