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

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

  • ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard

    • Guard Services

  • Cloud Security Alliance Brings AI-Assisted Auditing to Cloud Computing

    The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, today introduced an innovative addition to its suite of Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) Registry assessments with the launch of Valid-AI-ted, an AI-powered, automated validation system. The new tool provides an automated quality check of assurance information of STAR Level 1 self-assessments using state-of-the-art LLM technology. Read Now

  • Report: Nearly 1 in 5 Healthcare Leaders Say Cyberattacks Have Impacted Patient Care

    Omega Systems, a provider of managed IT and security services, today released new research that reveals the growing impact of cybersecurity challenges on leading healthcare organizations and patient safety. According to the 2025 Healthcare IT Landscape Report, 19% of healthcare leaders say a cyberattack has already disrupted patient care, and more than half (52%) believe a fatal cyber-related incident is inevitable within the next five years. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities