Doggett, citing KXAN report, wants federal building safety review

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A months-long KXAN investigation into vehicles crashing into hospital emergency rooms has one member of Congress pushing for increased security on a federal level that, experts say, could save lives.

"As a result of (KXAN investigative reporter) Matt (Grant)'s important study about safety at area health care facilities, I contacted the General Services Administration about safety at federal facilities," U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, said.

In a sit-down interview with KXAN, Doggett said he is continuing to push for a sweeping security review of federal facilities. This comes after we found more than 300 crashes nationwide in the past decade at medical centers, following a deadly incident at St. David's North Austin Medical Center in February. In June, Doggett first told KXAN he would look into what can be done on a federal level.

Beyond medical centers, there were more than 30,000 vehicle crashes into any building accessible to the public, according to data compiled by the nonprofit Storefront Safety Council since 2014. During that same timeframe, there were an average of 2,600 fatal incidents every year -- meaning the actual number of deaths is likely higher.

"These accidents happen 100 times a day," said SSC co-founder Rob Reiter, an advocate of crash-rated bollards. "And they happen where we live, work, play and shop ... More people die in these storefront crashes than die in weather events in the United States every year."

"These things are foreseeable," Reiter added. "They're predictable. And they're preventable."

In June, Doggett sent a letter to the GSA, which oversees more than 8,600 federally owned and leased in buildings in the country. Citing "the in-depth investigative reporting of Matt Grant at KXAN," along with "growing security concerns in recent years," Doggett wrote: "These troubling incidents have increased calls for action to require the installation of safety bollards or posts to prevent vehicles from crashing into buildings."

The government leases or owns 1,200 buildings in our five-state region, which includes: Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. The most number of buildings by far -- more than 800 -- are located in Texas.

Not all federal buildings are owned by GSA. Some are owned and maintained by the occupying government agencies, a spokesperson said.

"Given the number of smaller facilities that may be leased for services, such as Social Security and veteran health care, I want to ensure that adequate safety measures are erected at all locations providing federal services," Doggett wrote in the letter dated June 11.

The following month, Doggett followed up. In a July 12 letter, he again referenced our investigation and asked for a review of federal facilities in the southwestern U.S. to determine if bollards are needed. Doggett also specifically requested information for Travis, Williamson and Hays counties.

"There are some leased spaces around town that I think do present those issues," Doggett said. "I've urged the GSA, General Services Administration, to take a look at those."

KXAN surveys federal sites amid calls for safety review

KXAN also started reviewing those sites. In recent days, we visited 10 federally-leased buildings in Austin. While most were designed so security barriers aren't needed, we found at least three without bollards, or where doorways were only partially protected, including buildings housing the Social Security Administration, OSHA and the IRS.

We found an IRS office located inside of a medical building, with an unprotected front entrance, directly across from where a drunk driver crashed into St. David's North Austin Medical Center in February, killing herself and seriously injuring five.

Reiter reviewed our photos and said this is a concern.

The IRS and SSA referred our questions back to the GSA. OSHA did not respond. KXAN attempted to contact the building owners for the three locations Reiter said appeared vulnerable. We either could not locate ownership contacts or did not hear back.

"While it is difficult to eliminate all potential risks, including those posed by vehicles, GSA-owned and leased facilities incorporate countermeasures, building design features, or natural barriers to help mitigate these risks," a GSA spokesperson said.

In response to Doggett's inquiries, GSA Acting Associate Administrator Kusai Merchant said the GSA already uses more than 14,000 "barriers of various types" throughout the country. That total includes around 1,000 in the greater southwest region, including Texas, he said.

"GSA shares your concerns regarding the safety of employees and visitors to facilities under GSA's custody or control," Merchant wrote. "GSA partners closely with the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Protective Service (FPS), the Department of Justice's Marshals Service and others to ensure the safety of the occupant agency personnel and visitors within GSA-controlled facilities."

The GSA said bollards could be recommended at high-risk buildings, which are reassessed every three years, and that the security level determines "the specific countermeasures recommended for the facility." Those measures could include perimeter setbacks, bollards, blast protection and visitor screening.

Regarding the security status of Central Texas facilities, Merchant told Doggett that for security reasons, "GSA prefers to discuss these with you directly."

"GSA has been in contact with Rep. Doggett, and shares his concerns regarding the safety of employees and visitors at facilities under GSA's custody or control," a GSA spokesperson told KXAN. "GSA has a thorough review process to assess whether a facility requires bollards or other security measures and continually reassesses its facilities to address evolving risks. For security reasons, GSA cannot disclose the specific details of this review process."

Doggett, meanwhile, wants to see that review expedited.

"I think, in view of the increased number of accidents, deaths and injuries from lack of safety bollards, that GSA needs to act now," Doggett said.

"The fact that you're involved, pointing out these challenges and suggesting what the solution can be can save lives and make a difference to so many of our neighbors," he said of KXAN's reporting.

KXAN asked the GSA if it's currently conducting a review of federal facilities in our region at Doggett's request. The agency responded that "at this time" its review schedule has not changed.

"Regarding GSA-owned and leased buildings, while we cannot share specific review schedule details," said a spokesperson, "please note that the review cycle to assess whether a facility requires bollards or other security measures remains as strategically planned at this time."

The GSA did say, however, that it "appreciates the attention to employee and visitor safety" stemming from KXAN's reporting.

KXAN Reporter Sarah Al-Shaikh, Graphic Artist Wendy Gonzalez, Director of Investigations & Innovation Josh Hinkle, Investigative Producer Dalton Huey, Director Robert Lovelace, Investigative Photojournalist Chris Nelson and Digital Director Kate Winkle contributed to this report.