Security forces asking for help stopping vandalism, illegal solicitation on base

  • Published
  • By Nick Stubbs
  • Thunderbolt Editor
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Escaping a pushy salesman can be a challenge, even inside the MacDill Air Force gates, where a recent rash of unauthorized solicitation has been annoying base residents.

The 6th Security Forces Squadron reminds base personnel that such solicitation without approval is a possible criminal violation, and warrants a call to security forces, which is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The numbers is 828-3323 or 3324. Base members also may stop by the security forces headquarters at 2505 SOCOM Memorial Way, adjacent to the USSOCOM Memorial.

Security forces has responded to recent calls of door-to-door solicitors, vandalism and theft in the residential area of the base, and is asking the base community to stay vigilant and report crime immediately when witnessed or suspected.

Among the prohibited activities on which security forces is focused, include:
- Failure to comply with all relevant regulations, directives and instructions, including but not limited to, the Joint Ethics Regulations and Air Force Instruction (AFI) 32-6001, Family Housing Management.
- Soliciting door-to-door
- Soliciting without an appointment in housing areas, family quarters or in areas provided by installation commanders for interviews by appointment
- Soliciting in areas for the processing of transient personnel, in the dorms, in guest quarters, in open mess facilities and in cafeterias.
- Using official I.D. cards by military member, retired or reserve members of the military to gain access to Air Force installations in order to solicit
- Engaging in unfair, improper or deceptive trade practices, as defined by federal and state law, including but not limited to: illegal inducement to purchase or trade, using rebates to facilitate transactions or to eliminate competition, and using misleading advertisements or sales literature
- Using one's rank, either orally or in writing, to suggest endorsement of the product or service by DoD.
- Advertising addresses or telephone numbers of commercial sales activities conducted on the installation, except authorized activities conducted by members of military families residing in family housing.
- Soliciting military members who reside in the dorms, Family Services Center, Recreation Center or Base Library, except as permitted by the commander.