Even state officials must show photo ID; Coast Guard requires change
By Michael Dresser
Sun Staff
Originally published May 27, 2005, 8:52 PM EDT
Under orders from the Coast Guard, the Maryland Port Administration is tightening its procedures for allowing access to its Baltimore marine terminals -- barring even high state officials from entering without an identity check.

The new rule, posted on the state agency's Web site this week, calls for security workers staffing port gates to check the photo ID of all people entering the terminal, even if they are in a vehicle with an MPA-issued decal.

The rule, which will take effect June 13, allows no exceptions, according to the memo by Melvin Jackson, the MPA's general manager for security.

The memo says the change is required under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, passed by Congress in the aftermath of the September 2001 terrorist attacks.

Sources familiar with the port's security procedures say the practice at the gates has been to wave through high-ranking MPA officials and delivery truck drivers for Federal Express, UPS and other companies.