ABC News: Security Corners Are Sometimes Cut to Get Large Crowds Into Obama Rallies on Time

[sabra]

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/Story?id=4350538&page=1


As Obama Security Rises, Lapses Remain
Security Corners Are Sometimes Cut to Get Large Crowds Into Rallies on Time


Last May, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., was issued a full-time Secret Service detail, an unusual event so early in the election season, but one that reflected the potential threat against him.

Yet, despite the intense security ring protecting the presidential candiate, questions remain about security, especially among the huge crowds the candidate draws.

At a rally last week in Dallas, hundreds of supporters were allowed into the event without undergoing complete screening checks that are standard at Obama events. In an effort to accommodate the 17,000-strong crowd, Secret Service agents ordered local police to stop searching each supporter who entered the event — at least the third time reporters have noted such a lapse in recent months.

In October, at events in Prince George's County, Va., and Madison, Wis., the Secret Service detail also elected to relax security measures to speed up entry of the swarms of Obama supporters. While part of the problem may simply be the size of the crowds at Obama events, Secret Service agents are now tightening up security measures to better protect him.

...

"It is of the utmost importance now that the Secret Service provides the most rigorous protection for Sen. Obama," said ABC News consultant Fawaz Gerges, author of numerous books on national security and the terrorist threat. "It is a serious concern for many Americans in light of the historical precedents with Martin Luther King and President John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy."

[washingdem]

1. I saw this firsthand at a rally in Virginia a couple weeks back

There were so many people that they basically gave up screening everyone and let thousands in without checking them. One thing to note is that these people were let into the very back of the room, with thousands of people in between them and the stage (and Obama). The people closest to him had been checked... however, yeah, it was a little disconcerting. Seems like if you have a standard of security, it should not change based on convenience.

[City Lights]

2. Everyone went through metal detectors for the Cleveland

rally last Saturday night. They opened the doors about an hour earlier than advertised. I never hear why, but I wondered if it was to allow enough time to screen everyone.

The Dallas story sent a chill through my bones. Cutting corners on security...:wtf:

[Araxen]

3. It sad that they need all this security

You would think some people would have grown up by now, but sadly that's not the case.

[goldcanyonaz]

4. Obama's security is the best any President has seen. I almost think some media wants to see an

assassination attempt just to get higher ratings.

There is no way possible for anyone with a weapon to get past the entrance to any one of these rallies.

Just because you don't see weapon checkpoints at a rally doesn't mean they are not in place. Security of today can be installed quickly and without downtime, and to the naked eye they are invisible.

[City Lights]

6. You must have missed this part of the post:

At a rally last week in Dallas, hundreds of supporters were allowed into the event without undergoing complete screening checks that are standard at Obama events. In an effort to accommodate the 17,000-strong crowd, Secret Service agents ordered local police to stop searching each supporter who entered the event — at least the third time reporters have noted such a lapse in recent months.

And your comment suggesting that the media wants something to happen to get higher ratings is disgusting. :thumbsdown:

[goldcanyonaz]

12. I stated ATTEMPT, as in a mere security type breach.

You BHO supporters are truly over the edge.

[City Lights]

14. An "attempt" makes your comment no less disgusting.

Nice post edit, BTW.

[Unsane]

10. I think you're an idiot.

[City Lights]

11. You said what I was thinking.

:hi:

[goldcanyonaz]

13. Coming from you of all people? I'll take that as a compliment...

Considering the fact that you are a true moron.

[washingdem]

15. First of all

As someone else said, your assassinate attempt statement was disgusting.

Second, you're wrong. People have been getting let in at some events with NO security check. I saw it myself. There was no screening. Thousands of people poured in at one point as a mass. Not even single file or anything. Now, they were being put in the back part of the room, but the fact remains.

[goldcanyonaz]

18. Security is seamless today. You wouldn't know if you passed a secure checkpoint if it bit you.

Most mall entrances in the Mid West are secure checkpoints, but you probably think that if you don't walk in a Court like security checkpoint that there isn't one in place.

Security of today is invisible to the naked eye, but you probably don't have any military experience to know any differently.

[City Lights]

19. Dallas police was asked to *shut down* screening. By the Secret Service.

It's not *that* difficult to understand. :eyes:

Police concerned about order to stop weapons screening at Obama rally

BY JACK DOUGLAS JR.
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER

DALLAS -- Security details at Barack Obama's rally Wednesday stopped screening people for weapons at the front gates more than an hour before the Democratic presidential candidate took the stage at Reunion Arena.

The order to put down the metal detectors and stop checking purses and laptop bags came as a surprise to several Dallas police officers who said they believed it was a lapse in security.

Dallas Deputy Police Chief T.W. Lawrence, head of the Police Department's homeland security and special operations divisions, said the order -- apparently made by the U.S. Secret Service -- was meant to speed up the long lines outside and fill the arena's vacant seats before Obama came on.

more... http://www.star-telegram.com/667/story/486413.html

[Rabrrrrrr]

21. I don't think your assassination attempt statement is out of line at all -

some people just don't know how to read.

I think you're wrong on the other points, but I wouldn't be surprised if the media - who are, we must all remember, for-profit organizations (and the more profit the better) - wasn't anxiously awaiting an attempt on any of the candidate's lives, but especially Obama.

They'd stand to make $millions in days, especially whichever one happened to get the exclusive live footage of it.

I remember Hearst: "You get me the pictures - I'll give you the war".

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

22. I think you might be projecting.

:shrug:

[loveangelc]

5. WTF ARE THEY DOING????? :(

[Lucinda]

7. Its not only bad that they are being lapse...it's bad that its public information

It needs to stop.

[grantcart]

8. At UCLA they didnt have a check of people going in but you are

sitting there for a couple of hours and it gives the Secret Service time to analyze the crowd.

What worries me is the outside crowds like UT where it would seem like there is less control.

It is a great worry for me.

[TexasObserver]

9. the last week or so, it sure appears they have tightened up the structure around Obama

The security worries me, too, and I said as much a few weeks back. But in the past week, I've noticed that he's got a pretty good presence of Secret Service all around him.

I do worry about it, but hope they've got it covered.

[ecstatic]

16. Thanks ABC. The more people that think Obama events are unsecured, the better

:eyes:

:sarcasm:

[shadowknows69]

17. This is where a real news organization would choose the ethical route

And not run this story.

[AtomicKitten]

20. This happened when I saw him here in SF at the Phil Graham Auditorium, capacity 5-6K.

I can only imagine the chaos of the monster crowds he is getting, and it scares the livin' bejeezus out of me. It is absolutely critical that people remain patient.

[samdogmom]

23. Do you think things change during the general election?

I attended the John Kerry/Bruce Springsteen rally in Madison, WI on the Thursday before the 2004 election. Over 100,000 people attended this event. Our trip through security took awhile--but it was painless and relatively quick--all things considered. 100,000+ people to process (!) That's a crowd, so...come on! Why can't the people providing security for Obama handle crowds of less than 20,000????

We had color coded tickets. These separated the crowd into slightly more manageable sized groups--each ticket color went to a different location for screening. No one was allowed to bring in anything they weren't wearing--purses, backpacks, signs on sticks, etc. (you could bring stick-less signs, however). Cell phones had to be turned on and ready for the screener to test, as well as cameras and any other electronic equipment you happened to have in your hand or pocket.

We got screened in a reasonable amount of time--everyone had to pass through airport-like metal detectors--but it was orderly and probably pretty good.

Why can't they start this type of system for Barack since he tends to attract huge crowds?

Edited for clarity!