JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
There are a handful of businesses in the local area that are off-limits to armed forces members without exception.
According to an Air Education and Training Command memorandum dated Aug. 31, 2011, all 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio military members are forbidden to enter any establishments named Cracker Box Palace, Planet K, Players Club of San Antonio and Voodoo Tattoo Parlor.
This also includes all locations in Bexar, Atascosa, Bandera, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina and Wilson counties.
These businesses are areas where suspicious activity has been reported that is perceived as damaging to the Air Force mission.
"These establishments were placed off-limits by the San Antonio Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board to help maintain the health, safety, morals, welfare, morale and discipline of the Armed Forces personnel," the memorandum states.
Entering areas deemed as "off-limits" or "blacklisted" may result in losing a military career, Mance Clark, JBSA-Randolph antiterrorism officer, said.
However, the bigger picture is not just avoiding the blacklisted spots, but reporting suspicious activity whenever and wherever it happens, Clark said.
"The purpose is to provide a safe and secure environment for military and civilians on our installations," Clark said. "Antiterrorism is not a one-man job. Report suspicious activities if you see any.
"The base populations are integral to the reporting process because reports may help protect others from potential threats."
Suspicious activities include but aren't limited to underage buying of alcohol, child labor, drug trafficking and the presence of gangs.
The key is reporting criminal activity without trying to stop it.
"Even if you don't have a uniform on, never get involved," Clark said. "As calmly as you can, call 911 and provide details of the type of activity you have witnessed and the location where it occurred."
The Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board, which first placed the establishments off-limits in 1997, meets quarterly to ensure safety and security is a top military priority.
"The bottom line is to always report suspicious activity," Clark said.
Someone who witnesses a suspicious or unusual activity on a JBSA location, such as a stranger lingering in a parking lot, should call the appropriate non-emergency number.
At JBSA-Randolph call 652-5700/5509; JBSA-Lackland, 671-3030/2018; and JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, 221-2244/2222.
For all emergencies, call 911.