U.S. Border Gates Left Wide Open at El Paso Texas Border Station – How a Multi-User Locking System Could Have Helped

At Everlock Systems we believe that site security—whether it be at schools, farms, utilities or government facilities—is of utmost importance. That’s why we take such pride in our patented multi-user locking systems. The following story is an important lesson for anyone responsible for a safe and secure facility, we hope you learn how we can help increase safety and security and improve operations by adding a very simple measure to increase compliance with point of entry locking needs.

In July 2014, a border gate in El Paso, Texas was left wide open. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that not one, but two gates were in fact open and unattended. A passerby noticed a Border Patrol officer driving away, leaving the open gate unprotected and vulnerable to potential threat.

Regardless of one’s stance on border gates, border patrol, and national security, we can all agree that even the most vital gate is rendered useless if left unlocked. It could be that the Border Patrol officer forgot to lock it, or did not want to get out of his car, or perhaps he had to leave it open to permit an authorized user through the gate arriving at a later time. Whatever the reason, the security of that site was compromised by leaving gates open and unsecured.

We see similar actions at locations where either the physical locks or the security protocols are complicated, outdated, or inaccessible. Oftentimes when a secured entry point requires access by several people, a daisy chain of locks is formed. Eventually this becomes so complicated that any single lock can be rendered useless because A) the users stopped locking it, B) the users needing access add their own locks into the daisy chain, or C) an authorized lock is “looped out” of the chain by a lock placed incorrectly. Any of these scenarios prove frustrating for all involved parties.

How can Everlock Systems help? Our patented multi-user locking systems allow for each person to use their own unique and authorized lock. In a situation such as the one described above, each agency, vendor, or third party contractor authorized by the Border Patrol would be assigned his own lock. Each lock has to be properly inserted in the Everlock multilock product or else access is denied. With our system, there are no more daisy chains. If contractors complete their projects, their lock is simply returned and space on the multilock is reassigned to someone else.  A multi-user locking system helps to ensure that security is never breached because of an unlocked gate.

If you have questions about our products or installation, contact us today! We are happy to help make your facility a secure one.