Naval Base Kitsap Commanding Officer, Capt. Mark Olson, is on a mission to clean up the base and needs your help. The problem stems from both an abundance of trash scattered throughout the facilities and the rise in abandoned vehicles. 

The removal of 117 suspected abandoned vehicles from Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) last year was a costly venture in both funds and manpower.

Parking on Naval Base Kitsap is strictly controlled and is a privilege, not a right of the owner. Vehicles found abandoned will be ticketed and towed within 72-96 hours.

Vehicles cannot consume parking spaces on base if you are deployed or at-sea for longer than 30 days. Fleet deployed parking is available for those occasions. Call 627-4026/4054 for access.

NBK, Bremerton has just over 7,000 parking spaces for nearly 20,000 military and civilian employees. Many employees park off-base at their own cost, so both illegal parking and abandoned vehicles can have a negative impact on parking.

Abandoned vehicles are an immediate security interest as they draw attention to the potential for terrorist activities. Vehicles can easily be traced with license plate information, VIN numbers and other methods that are not as easily removed.

Everyone must be held accountable when it comes to parking. Recognize the importance of not abandoning your vehicles; properly securing vehicles before deployments; and helping NBK increase awareness toward removal of both eyesores and unsafe conditions.

Also, base cleanliness has slipped and litter, trash, bottles and food bags are all too common a sight in our parking lots, living areas and streets.

Personnel are asked to reload efforts to put the trash, junk, waste into the correct and provided receptacle. Such trash did not just “happen” to be there, it was dropped or discarded by humans.

Trash is present everywhere, from cigarette butts and beverage cans to unwanted furniture. What is littering? One cigarette butt thrown on the ground is considered littering.

NBK Security writes citations for littering from vehicles as this is a moving violation. Security will also write citations for pedestrians littering if they see it. Base parking lots for Sailors, Marines and Coast Guard normally open after work hours, but littered to a level of disgrace overnight, can and will be locked up until cleaned up. Personnel cited for littering could have base driving privileges revoked.

Lets all do our part! If you see a need for a trash receptacle notify the chain or command or call NBK Public Works Department at 476-2428. If you see a trash receptacle overflowing, call 396-4734 for Bangor and Keyport and 476-6116 for Bremerton to have it emptied.

If we see trash, simply pick it up! It takes less than a minute to make a major difference.