Leavenworth city commissioners expressed their concerns regarding a national issue when they met on Tuesday.

Based on a proposed bill by a congressman and comments by the president-elect’s transition team, commissioners discussed the possibility of detainees in Guantanamo Bay being transferred to the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks on Fort Leavenworth.

Leavenworth City Manager Scott Miller reviewed concerns that were addressed by U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Topeka, in articles and letters that appeared in the Leavenworth Times. He also made some additional observations regarding the USDB’s close proximity to the Missouri River, a major rail line and several state and federal highways, as well as the city of Leavenworth.

“Police Department resources would be significantly taxed,” Miller said.

Leavenworth Police Chief Pat Kitchens provided several examples of how the move would affect Leavenworth.

Kitchens said having detainees from Guantanamo at Fort Leavenworth would increase the number of protests in the city. Since they would not be allowed on the post, protesters would have to position themselves in the city around the installation.

“I would anticipate significantly more protesters than we’ve had,” Kitchens said.

With the possibility of escape by detainees who are under maximum guard, Kitchens said his department would have to spend a lot more resources preparing for those situations.

Since there are no federal law enforcement agencies active in Leavenworth, he said his department would be the first responders should anything happen.

As an example, he said the Leavenworth Police Department responded in the early 1990s after “letter bombs” were delivered to the U.S. Penitentiary when it was still a maximum security prison.

“We have some experience with that,” Kitchens said. “We do have a regional bomb squad.”

Kitchens said the bomb squad already provides its services for Fort Leavenworth since the nearest military bomb squad is at Fort Riley.

“I could only imagine the national media that would arrive,” he said when contemplating possible scenarios. “These are significant issues that it would create.”

Kitchens said these situations would most likely require an increase in police personnel.

“I don’t believe we currently have enough,” he said.

Although he expressed his concerns regarding the possibility, Kitchens summed up his evaluation of the proposal by assuring commissioners about his department’s commitment to the city.

“We would certainly do our best to keep the community of Leavenworth safe,” Kitchens said.

Mayor Lisa Weakley said she appreciated Kitchens’ comments because she knows the military can not make any comments either for or against the proposal. Weakley said military personnel at the fort will not even attend a press conference Brownback has scheduled for today in Leavenworth.

City commissioners also asked Leavenworth Fire Chief Steve Moody for his thoughts on the proposal. Moody said the possible transfer would not have as many implications for his department as it would for the police department.

However, he said his department would have to consider any and all risks. For example, he said hazardous material is routinely transported on the rail line running through Leavenworth. He said that would create a “heightened risk” should any of the detainees escape or if something else happens.

Weakley said Fort Leavenworth could already be considered a possible target for terrorist attacks because of the Command and General Staff College and the Combined Arms Center. She said the addition of terrorism suspects being detained at Guantanamo Bay would increase the risk of attacks on Fort Leavenworth.

The commission came to a consensus and directed city staff to draft a resolution stating that city officials support concerns that have already been expressed by Brownback and U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Dodge City. Although the resolution will not be formally adopted until next week’s regular meeting, Weakley said she will use it as a reference if she is asked to speak today about the city’s position regarding the possible transfer.

The police and fire chiefs were invited to attend the press conference and several commissioners expressed their desire to attend in support of Weakley and the city’s position against moving Guantanamo Bay detainees to Fort Leavenworth.

After the press conference today, Brownback and Weakley will tour the area around the Disciplinary Barracks. They will be joined by other state and local officials.

Brownback’s tour comes in light of recent suggestions from the President-elect’s transition team that military combatants currently being held at Guantanamo Bay could be relocated to Fort Leavenworth.

Brownback has previously toured the facilities at Fort Leavenworth. After consulting with officials at the Defense Department, Brownback said in a news release that he has concluded that Fort Leavenworth is not equipped to handle those currently held at Guantanamo Bay.

Brownback has repeatedly stated that Fort Leavenworth is not a suitable location for enemy combatants because the USDB is primarily a medium security facility; the fort is primarily focused on training officers at the Command and General Staff College; the proximity of the post is close to a community airport, farms and the surrounding area of Leavenworth; and the lack of medical facilities on site would require transporting combatants through the city in order to be treated at community hospitals.

Brownback and Roberts sent a letter earlier this year to all senate colleagues and the Leavenworth Times that detailed the reasons why Fort Leavenworth is an unacceptable option.

The Times published the letter again on Nov. 29 when Brownback responded to a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Harry Brown, D-S.C., concerning the prospects of moving detainees from Guantanamo Bay to facilities in the United States.