US Capitol needs ‘vast improvements’ in security including permanent fence, say police
Security has been tightened at the Capitol after warnings of a continued threat from domestic violent extremists
(Getty Images)The United States Capitol Police (USCP) has already strengthened security around the Capitol building after the riots on 6 January, and is now calling for “vast" and permanent improvements to be made.
“In light of recent events, I can unequivocally say that vast improvements to the physical security infrastructure must be made to include permanent fencing, and the availability of ready, back-up forces in close proximity to the Capitol,” said the USCP’s acting chief Yogananda D Pittman in a statement.
She noted that, even before the 9/11 attacks, security experts have argued that more “needed to be done to protect the US Capitol”.
“In fact, a 2006 security assessment specifically recommended the installation of a permanent perimeter fence around the Capitol," said Ms Pittman, who was designated as the acting chief on 8 January after the riots.
She said she looks forward to “working with Congress on identifying the security improvements necessary to ensure the safety and security of the Congress and the US Capitol.”
On 6 January, hundreds of Trump supporters breached security at the Capitol, easily overrunning police lines and entering the building, where they damaged government property while Congress was in session.
Ms Pittman said following 6 January, with the assistance of federal and local law enforcement partners, and Congressional stakeholders, the USCP has “hardened the physical security across the Capitol complex”.
She said that after becoming the acting chief she “immediately directed staff to conduct a physical security assessment of the entire Capitol complex".
This assessment was in addition to the USCP inspector general’s review of the events on 6 January, she said, and the “third-party review of the complex’s physical infrastructure, processes, and command and control being conducted at the behest of Speaker Pelosi by retired Lt Gen Russel Honoré”.
“I welcome each of these reviews, and I am ensuring that the department will provide all of the information that is necessary to facilitate these studies. In the end, we all have the same goal — to prevent what occurred on 6 January from ever happening again,” said Ms Pittman.
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