Public road - Federal Property ?

[bat1]

Here is a question..
I'm told that "Saturn Ln" in Webster, TX, is "Technically Speaking" Federal property. could this be true ?

This is what happened, one day on my way out the front gate of NASA, turning right on Saturn Lane, I find myself pulled over by a NASA security patrol car,
he asked my ID /Nasa badge ans stated I was going 20 in a 15MPH out the front gate.. he did not give me a NASA ticket, but just a warning..

I asked how he was allowed to pull me over on a public road, if I was speeding, normal security patrol policy would be get my plate and ticket me when I come back in.. I'm being told that Technically Speaking, this is NASA federal property.

WOW, if this is the case, then IF I have no plans to go to NASA, but driving down NASA Road #1, and turn on Saturn Ln, to drive to Bay Area Blvd and get pulled over by a Webster PD or Houston PD and I was carrying a firearm in my car, I would be in violation of the law..

So,
1. Can " NASA security patrol car" legally pull me over, and what would have happened if I did NOT stop ? (besides losing my job)
2. IF Webster PD or Houston PD pulled me over would I be in violation of federal law, having a firearm in my car ?

BAT

[EEllis]

It's federal untill you get to Hercules. Personally I wouldn't worry about any firearms enforcement.

[alvins]

i think they got you as you were still on nasa property.now pulling you over only going down Saturn and you never came from inside nasa i dought it.

i know my father always told me to never speed on nasa property and always come to a complete stop at signs.

ofcourse their security is not very lax anymore.

[Keith B]

What the heck is a NASA ticket? Are these actual cops?

Yep. There are two different versions of security, but the ones that carry guns are federally licensed peace officers. They may also have a reciprocal agreement with the municipalities around JSC to be able to enforce some laws for them, which may include traffic violations near the center.

[jmorris]

Just like MPs and SPs can issue you a federal traffic ticket on base, federal police can issue you one on any federal property.

Back in the day when seat belt use was required on base but not by Florida*, lot's of people entering Cape Canaveral didn't buckle up until they got to the gate which was right on the edge. The entrance was rebuilt, adding a new visitor center, and moving the gate (IIRC) about a 100 yards inside the property line. Lots of tickets where issued that first week to people who buckled up when they got to the gate. "Sir, you've been on federal property for 100 yards. You should have been buckled."

*Maybe required but largely ignored. I forget.

[bat1]

What the heck is a NASA ticket? Are these actual cops?

A NASA ticket is no more then points, speeding is 3 to 5 points, you get 10 points and you can not drive on-site for 10day.. not a big deal.. But, my understanding is that thy cannot pull you over on Public road, I don't believe there are any federally licensed peace officers. I don't believe that they have a reciprocal agreements.. I'm more concerned, that most of that is Federal Property.. If that is the case "anyone" driving from bay Area to NASA Rd 1, on Saturn, and having a firearm in the car, "could" give reason to be charged with a federal crime.. wow..

BAT

[srothstein]

But, my understanding is that thy cannot pull you over on Public road, I don't believe there are any federally licensed peace officers. I don't believe that they have a reciprocal agreements.. I'm more concerned, that most of that is Federal Property.. If that is the case "anyone" driving from bay Area to NASA Rd 1, on Saturn, and having a firearm in the car, "could" give reason to be charged with a federal crime.. wow..

BAT

The federal government does not define peace officers the way Texas does. It does define law enforcement officers and has a separate pension plan for them. I believe they use the federal civil service payroll code of 1811 for all law enforcement officers. I am not sure of where the legal definition is or what it is, but they do define them and not all security officers are police officers. I do not know if NASA has their own police officers or just security officers, though I would bet they have both and you won't be able to tell which is which by looking.

[MasterOfNone]

What the heck is a NASA ticket? Are these actual cops?

Isn't a NASA ticket what they give space shuttle pilots for coming in too fast?