Security

Mission

The Port of Brownsville Police and Security department provides a safe and secure environment to all port tenants and employees providing maritime services to prevent a transportation security incident, in accordance with the Facility Security Plan, as required by Chapter 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations Sections 104 and 105.

History of the Police Department

The Port of Brownsville Police Department was created in 2004. Prior to the establishment of the police department, the Port of Brownsville employed personnel to perform security services. The department is currently comprised of law enforcement and security officers.

Contact Information

Port Police/Security: (956) 509-2100
Harbor Master Office Dispatch: (956) 831-8256
U.S. Coast Guard – MSD Unit: (956) 832-0517
In case of emergency dial 9-1-1

Port Access

SH 550 Entrance

  • Location: Intersection of SH 550 and SH 48.
  • Hours of Operation: 24/7, 365 days.

Foust Road Entrance

  • Location: Access is via Foust Road.
  • Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Gate closed on weekends.

South Port Connector Road Entrance

  • Location: Access is via SH 4 on the southside of the Brownsville Ship Channel.
  • Hours of operation: Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Gate closed on weekends.

Requirements for entering the port

All persons entering the Port of Brownsville must possess and present a valid identification card and declare the reason for their visit in order to comply with the Facility Security Plan. Acceptable forms of identification include:

  • Transportation Worker’s Identification Credential (TWIC)
  • State-issued driver license
  • Port of Brownsville identification cards
  • U.S. Work Visa or Border Crossing Card as carried by Mexican national truck drivers and issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Any other government-issued ID card that meets the following standards:

  • Be laminated or otherwise secure against tampering;
  • Contain the individual’s full name (full and last names, middle initial is acceptable);
  • The card is still valid and has not expired;
  • Contain a photo that accurately depicts the individual’s current facial appearance;
  • Bear the name of the issuing authority. The issuing authority must be: a government authority, or an organization authorized to act on behalf of a government authority; or the individual’s employer, union, or trade association.

Examples of unauthorized forms of identification:

  • Photocopies of acceptable forms of identification
  • Any form of ID that appears to have been tampered with or falsified

Specific guidelines that all persons entering the port must follow

Any person allowed access to the secured areas of the Port of Brownsville must proceed directly to their intended destination, may not access any restricted area (where signage advises of such) without the proper credentials and authority, abide by all the rules and regulations of each regulated facility and drive in a safe manner obeying all traffic laws.

U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security (MARSEC) Levels

The Coast Guard employs a three-tiered system of Maritime Security (MARSEC) Levels designed to easily communicate to the Coast Guard and its maritime industry partners pre-planned scalable responses for credible threats. If the Secretary of Homeland Security issues an NTAS Alert, the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard will adjust MARSEC Level, if appropriate, based on the commensurate risk, any maritime nexus, and/or Commandant consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security.

MARSEC Levels are set to reflect the prevailing threat environment to the marine elements of the national transportation system, including ports, vessels, facilities, and critical assets and infrastructure located on, or adjacent to, waters subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. MARSEC Levels apply to vessels, Coast Guard-regulated facilities inside the U.S., and to the Coast Guard.

  • MARSEC Level 1 means the level for which minimum appropriate security measures shall be maintained at all times.
  • MARSEC Level 2 means the level for which appropriate additional protective security measures shall be maintained for a period of time as a result of heightened risk of a transportation security incident.
  • MARSEC Level 3 means the level for which further specific protective security measures shall be maintained for a limited period of time when a transportation security incident is probable, imminent, or has occurred, although it may not be possible to identify the specific target.

MARSEC Level 1 generally applies in the absence of an NTAS Alert or when the Commandant determines that the Alert is not applicable to the Marine Transportation System. If an NTAS Alert is applicable, the Commandant will consider a MARSEC Level change for the maritime industry, Coast Guard, or both.