ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
The Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board is working to make the local area safer for Team Andrews members by naming several local businesses as off-limits.
These bans are in place to protect service members from establishments deemed to be a detriment to the health and welfare of military personnel. Local police assist the AFDCB by identifying problem locations that military members frequent.
In a memorandum sent to service members assigned to Andrews, Col. Steven M. Shepro, 316th Wing commander, and the AFDCB directed Team Andrews to cease patronage of Classics III Nightclub in Suitland, Md., the CFE Events Center in District Heights, Md., Settling Restaurant and Lounge in Adelphi, Md., and Legend Nightclub in Temple Hills, Md., until further notice.
Per AFI 31-213, the AFDCB's mission is to advise and make recommendations to commanders on matters concerning eliminating conditions which adversely affect the health, safety, morals, welfare, morale, and discipline of the Armed Forces.
"With this AFI in mind, our efforts are to identify local establishments that pose a threat to the health and safety of military personnel," said Lt. Col. Kit Lambert, 316th Security Forces commander and AFDCB president. "Most often these threats include violent crime, drugs, health concerns, or racial discrimination. Locations are most often drinking establishments, but sometimes include housing complexes and hotels or motels."
The AFDCB's efforts include coordinating with business owners to make needed improvements.
"This effort also helps our community; as our efforts to improve conditions for military personnel have a side benefit to their many other patrons from our local community," Colonel Lambert said.
Due to the high number of police calls to these locations, Staff Sgt. Thomas Scheide, 316th Security Forces community policing NCO, said these areas can be dangerous to military personnel and have been listed on the AFDCB's list. "Drugs, shootings, stabbings, violent crimes, fights - these are all things that we're trying to protect our Airmen from," he said. "We're working to add other names to the list, as well. We have nine other clubs that we're looking at right now and we're keeping our eyes open for other locations."
Sergeant Scheide works closely with Prince George's County Police Department as well as other police units in the area.
The AFDCB had been a dormant program at Andrews until October 2008 when Colonel Lambert reinstituted the program.
"According to the National Capital Region Provost Marshal, the NCR hasn't had an active AFDCB for some time," Colonel Lambert said. "As a result, it was important to revive this vital liaison with our local community. The AFDCB is important because the process ensures we have an active community radar for threats for our military personnel."
Sergeant Scheide said Team Andrews' members who have suggestions for the AFDCB could submit them for consideration. "We'll look into the history of that particular establishment" Sergeant Scheide said. "But I want to be clear, it doesn't have to be just nightclubs. We will consider local hotels, apartment complexes, restaurants - you can be sure we'll look into it."
Sergeant Scheide said the AFDCB's determinations should not be viewed as punishment, but rather as a precaution.
"Safety is our number one concern and is our priority for our personnel," Sergeant Scheide said. "We're doing this for you."
For more information, email Sergeant Scheide at Thomas.scheide-02@afncr.af.mil.