November 14, 2014
Mariah Timms
News Writer
Washington, D.C.
An internal review of the Secret Service’s actions on September 19 revealed multiple levels of failure. The incident, where a man was able to jump the White House fence and enter the building to reach the East Room before being stopped, contributed to the resignation of then-Director Julie Pierson. New information shows that poor communication and lack of resources allowed Omar Jose Gonzales, 42, to get as far as he did. A canine handler, who was stationed in a van without monitors or radio, was on a personal call. The crisis command center officer tried to broadcast an alert, but did not realize his radio was defective, and no one heard the message. One officer allowed Gonzalez to walk past him because he assumed the front door was locked, which was untrue. These and other failings have prompted House Homeland Security Committee to call for a prompt overhaul of the Secret Service.
