Contractors

The private security company Blackwater has been attempting to build a west coast presence here in San Diego for quite some time now. A 2006 attempt to build a rifle range, tactical driving course and helipad in the rural, east county township of Potrero received stiff opposition from locals who objected to the prospect of traffic and noise pollution more than their planning board favored the economic stimulus that the project might bring to the economically disadvantaged area. That board was recalled and Blackwater – faced with increasingly agitated opposition across the county – quietly canceled their plans.

But they didn’t give up the fight entirely – after all, the federal government and US military had presented the contractor with a significant business opportunity. Blackwater sought and was granted permission by the city of San Diego to open a training facility in Otay Mesa, close to the US-Mexico border. That facility was intended to have a shooting range and a tactical mock-up of a ship, the better to train US Navy security forces in small and medium weapons usage and anti-terrorism tactics – growingly important training requirements which our blue water focused forces lack significant resident expertise in.

But that plan met stiff resistance when local activists realized that Southwest Law Enforcement and Raven Development Group were affiliates of the “B-word” company. The mayor suspended the fast track permits the city had issued, promising to block progress on the facility until a full review could be conducted by the San Diego City Council and Planning Commission – a process that could go on essentially forever. Which is I think the point:

Blackwater obtained its permits in March for interior improvements (to a warehouse). The site was zoned for a vocational school, and city staff members decided that Blackwater’s training qualified. The permits were obtained through Southwest Law Enforcement and Raven Development Group, affiliates of Blackwater.

(City attorney Michael) Aguirre’s opinion was that the City Council must approve the use of firearms and that the Planning Commission must determine whether Blackwater’s facility is a vocational school.

Neil said Blackwater’s own analysis shows that the company is entitled to occupy the Otay Mesa facility and that a delay could jeopardize Blackwater’s long-standing contract with the Navy to train sailors in anti-terrorism tactics. A delay also could damage the company’s business reputation and

May 27th, 2008 | Tags: GWOT, iraq, Military, SoCal | Category: Military, SoCal, iraq