My turn to talk to the police

Evan the problem with this one (in my personal opinion) is the coast guard. they are so secretive I am beginning to think they all are suffering from paranoia and or are narcissistic.
I have attempted to make contact a number of times with no response from them. You can not get passed the old guy at the gate and phone calls are not returned. Yesterday I took 4 8x10 and two 13x19 photographs that I had taken to give them along with my name, phone number and email. as usual the gate guard said he would take them. Turn the car around before you get to the gate. That was more than 24 hours ago with no response and I don't think I will get one. It is a pity as I would like to ask a few questions about another location I would like to use (on public property I think) but I guess I will have to find out the hard way.

You might have better luck if you get in touch with the PIO or Public Information Officer of the base. They may have a different name for him but most bases have someone in that position. The guy at the gate and generally the rank and file on the base probably can't answer your questions anyway.

He may even be able to supply a letter stating that you have been vetted and have permission to be on that property. Naturally you would have to submit info for that purpose.

breal101 wrote in post #14174882
You might have better luck if you get in touch with the PIO or Public Information Officer of the base. They may have a different name for him but most bases have someone in that position. The guy at the gate and generally the rank and file on the base probably can't answer your questions anyway.

He may even be able to supply a letter stating that you have been vetted and have permission to be on that property. Naturally you would have to submit info for that purpose.

I have called a number of times and all I get is "some one will call you", yes and pigs will fly one day. I would not mind being vetted even to just stand by the perimeter fence without causing a scene.

I don't know if all CG stations are this way or just this one but I have spoken to a few off duty in the local area and they are all very aloof. totally the opposite, on a cruise to Alaska couple of years back a CG helicopter hovered along side the ship at deck height with the crew waving as I took photos.
Maybe it is something to do with the Clearwater crews more to to do with drug interdiction and the Alaska crews more into rescue?

One thing that may be worth a try is to contact the local newspaper or TV station to get the name of the PIO on base. It's one of his main jobs to deal with the press. If you have a name you might have better luck getting direct contact.

Their mission may have a lot to do with the stonewalling you've encountered. The off duty guys may have orders not to talk to civilians about base operations. The old loose lips sink ships kind of thing.