Ex-president

Ex-president's Home without Alarm System for 13 Months

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Apr 23, 2015

I’ve always thought that the United States is failing at taking care of our senior population. Our seniors have seen things and done things that we can only dream about. They are a history book just waiting to explode with knowledge, if only we’d give them a chance. It seems that it doesn’t matter if the senior is male or female, rich and/or famous, unknown or even an ex-President; our senior population gets swept to the side.

In 2010, an agency expert warned Secret Service officials that the alarm system in former president George H.W. Bush’s home was aging and likely to fail. Not a good situation since it monitored the Bush’s property and home, a high target for terrorists, criminals and people who simply don’t like them. But, according to a report written by the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general, officials rejected the request to replace the ex-president’s security system.

The Bush’s 20-year-old alarm system stopped operating in September 2013 and it wasn’t until at least 13 months later that they system was replaced. To make up for the system not working, the Secret Service added an agent to rotate positions around the property; however, an additional agent isn’t sufficient to replace an actual alarm system. Humans can miss certain things that an alarm system can pick up.

Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Republican Representative Jason Chaffetz said, “To no replace a failing system for more than a year is wholly and totally unacceptable.”

I have to agree with Chaffetz. Bush, Sr. is 91-years-old, and at this age, I’m sure as a Texan he’s still good with a shot gun, but not so much with defending himself or his wife Barbara with physical contact. Should something devastating had happened within those 13 months of no alarm system, this would be yet another case of not taking proper care of our senior population.

(Image from abc7.com.)

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

Most   Popular

New Products

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.