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

  • The Next Generation

    Video security technology has reached an inflection point. With advancements in cloud infrastructure and internet bandwidth, hybrid cloud solutions can now deliver new capabilities and business opportunities for security professionals and their customers. Read Now

  • Help Your Customer Protect Themselves

    In the world of IT, insider threats are on a steep upward trajectory. The cost of these threats - including negligent and malicious employees that may steal authorized users’ credentials, rose from $8.3 million in 2018 to $16.2 million in 2023. Insider threats towards physical infrastructures often bleed into the realm of cybersecurity; for instance, consider an unauthorized user breaching a physical data center and plugging in a laptop to download and steal sensitive digital information. Read Now

  • Enhanced Situation Awareness

    Did someone break into the building? Maybe it is just an employee pulling an all-nighter. Or is it an actual perpetrator? Audio analytics, available in many AI-enabled cameras, can add context to what operators see on the screen, helping them validate assumptions. If a glass-break detection alert is received moments before seeing a person on camera, the added situational awareness makes the event more actionable. Read Now

  • Transformative Advances

    Over the past decade, machine learning has enabled transformative advances in physical security technology. We have seen some amazing progress in using machine learning algorithms to train computers to assess and improve computational processes. Although such tools are helpful for security and operations, machines are still far from being capable of thinking or acting like humans. They do, however, offer unique opportunities for teams to enhance security and productivity. Read Now

Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

New Products

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation. 3

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction. 3

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis. 3