FORT KNOX, Ky. — Officials at Fort Knox say requirements for access to the base are expected to get stricter next year.
Fort Knox Garrison Commander Col. T.J. Edwards told The News-Enterprise that he expects the Army to set a goal of vetting everyone who visits the base by running their information through the Nation Crime Information Center’s database.
Edwards said he expects the change, which stems from a review of the 2013 Washington Navy Yard shooting, to take place next year. The changes seek to prevent the possibility of a similar attack.
Army officials have begun notifying surrounding communities through various means, including speaking with the local newspaper.
The new system will require each visitor, including contractors, to be run through the system before they can enter the post. Edwards said vetting requirements will be different depending on circumstances. For example, on-post residents may get vetted once a year while a visiting golfer may get vetted once during golf season and again if visiting outside that time frame.
“We can tie their credentials to a certain date,” Edwards said.
He said the main gate would need a new command center for the changes, but it won’t be as restricted as it was during the post-Sept. 11, 2001, levels.
