In yet another embarrassing blow to Y-12 security, a lost driver was reportedly waved into the nuclear weapons plant without even a badge check on Thursday morning.

The incident occurred at the plant's main entry portal off Scarboro Road, where security procedures require a credentials check before any vehicle is allowed into the facility. A federal spokesman said there is "zero tolerance" for security missteps, adding that the Y-12 personnel involved in the incident -- three security police officers and a supervisor -- have been "removed from duty" pending the outcome of an investigation.

According to Bob Fowler's story over at Knoxnews.com, a 62-year-old woman was looking for a low-cost apartment complex when she drove into the plant shortly after 6 a.m. The report by the Oak Ridge Police Department indicated that the driver -- Brenda L. Haptonstall -- thought there must have been an accident ahead of her "because there were nice officers waving her through with illuminated flashlight cones," Fowler's story states.

The latest security gaffe comes 10 months after last summer's unprecedented security breach by peace activists, and it comes just three days after a visit by Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz -- who cited security improvements at the Oak Ridge plant over the past year and vowed there'd be more changes forthcoming.

Asked about the July 28, 2012 break-in, in which three senior protesters -- including an 82-year-old Catholic nun -- cut through fences and reached Y-12's inner sanctum, Moniz said, "Clearly, this was an unacceptable breach of security."

He added: "Let me make absolutely clear, with or without the Y-12 incident, the safety and security are essential core elements of our mission. We've not accomplished our mission if we don't succeed in those areas."

Without being specific, Moniz talked about organizational changes within the department, not only for security but other areas as well.

There are bound to be additional consequences following the latest security failure.

Here's a statement from NNSA spokesman Steven Wyatt:

"In an incident that occurred yesterday morning, Y-12 Security Police Officers (SPO) failed to follow established procedures, and allowed an unbadged individual onto site property at the main entrance on Scarboro Road. The individual was stopped by Y-12 security personnel quickly after she entered the site, and was subsequently detained and turned over to the Oak Ridge Police Department. At no time did she have access to sensitive areas of Y-12 or leave her vehicle, and no material or facilities were ever at risk.

"We have zero tolerance for security lapses and we are ensuring there is full accountability for this unacceptable incident. Safety and security are NNSA's top priorities, and the causes of this failure will be reviewed aggressively and corrected quickly. The security police officers involved in this incident have been removed from duty pending the outcome of an investigation. We are also reviewing gate procedures and placing supervisors at each entrance to monitor the work of Y-12 security personnel until further notice."

The Plowshares protesters who broke into Y-12 last summer were convicted on two federal charges -- including injuring the national defense -- are currently jailed in Georgia awaiting their sentencing in September in U.S. District Court in Knoxville.

Posted by Frank Munger on June 7, 2013 at 6:31 PM |