Metal Spikes Installed on White House Fence in Latest Security Renovation
This is the latest security renovation after a fence-jumping incident.
— -- Metal spikes were installed atop the White House fence today, the latest enhancement to fortify the security perimeter at the White House.
Sharp metal spikes were installed atop the White House fence today. Look closely and you'll see the difference pic.twitter.com/iZpIrXwEfZ
— Arlette Saenz (@ArletteSaenz) July 1, 2015
U.S. Secret Service and the National Park Service mounted the "removable anti-climb feature" this afternoon, but the entire installation process will take six weeks. Designed by Rock Island Arsenal Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center, the metal spikes installed today are only a temporary and will be replaced once a long-term solution is implemented, officials said.
The Commission of Fine Arts and National Capital Planning Commission will approve a final design in the fall and construction on a permanent security enhancement is set to begin in 2016. The renovation comes nearly 10 months after Omar Gonzalez scaled the White House fence, sprinted across the North Lawn and entered the White House.
Some semblance of a White House fence dates back to Thomas Jefferson’s presidency. Around 1801, Jefferson built the first post and rail fence around the White House, according to the White House Historical Association.
The second wrought-iron railing in the 1818 pen-and-ink drawing below stood on the north side of the White House until 1902.
The ornamental iron fences seen in this drawing were installed in front of the White House in 1833, and stood until 1902.
Entering the White House grounds has never been difficult for a president. President John F. Kennedy can be seen walking onto the White House grounds from the Blair House in this March 1963 photo.
Sharp metal spikes were installed atop the White House fence today. Look closely and you'll see the difference pic.twitter.com/iZpIrXwEfZ
U.S. Secret Service and the National Park Service mounted the "removable anti-climb feature" this afternoon, but the entire installation process will take six weeks. Designed by Rock Island Arsenal Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center, the metal spikes installed today are only a temporary and will be replaced once a long-term solution is implemented, officials said.
The Commission of Fine Arts and National Capital Planning Commission will approve a final design in the fall and construction on a permanent security enhancement is set to begin in 2016. The renovation comes nearly 10 months after Omar Gonzalez scaled the White House fence, sprinted across the North Lawn and entered the White House.
Some semblance of a White House fence dates back to Thomas Jefferson’s presidency. Around 1801, Jefferson built the first post and rail fence around the White House, according to the White House Historical Association.
The second wrought-iron railing in the 1818 pen-and-ink drawing below stood on the north side of the White House until 1902.
The ornamental iron fences seen in this drawing were installed in front of the White House in 1833, and stood until 1902.
Entering the White House grounds has never been difficult for a president. President John F. Kennedy can be seen walking onto the White House grounds from the Blair House in this March 1963 photo.