New security changes are coming to the Rock Island Arsenal, requiring background checks for all visitors.
Visitors who want to access Arsenal Island will have only one option, at their new visitor control center at the Moline entrance, as of December 1, 2015.
"We are implementing new processes that have been pushed down from the Department of Defense and Department of the Army," said Tj Suarez, the Chief of Physical Security on the Arsenal.
Employees or those living on the island will already have a badge to get on; but for everyone else, there will be extra steps.
Starting December 1st, people will have to stop by the office to give a valid ID and the last four numbers of their social security. A background check then will be done; if it comes back clear you'll be given a badge and allowed on.
"It lets us know if the people that are entering the installation have previous felonies, open warrants, if there are any issues that might disqualify them from coming onto the island," said Suarez.
It's a way to provide a more secure environment and, hopefully, prevent any incidents, like shootings or terrorism on the island.
"Look at incidents that have happened at other installations, one of the trends that they've noticed is, usually the person that is apprehended at these locations had an extensive criminal history," said Suarez.
However, they don't want to discourage visitors from coming so, depending on how often you visit, you can get a visitor's badge that's good for a year.
"We're not closing this to the public. All we're doing is increasing our security measures. People are still welcome to come and visit," said Suarez.
If any warrants pop up on background checks, Arsenal employees can detain the person and hold them in their detention room until local police arrive.