Capitol securityD.C. security gaps exposed by gyrocopter landing on Capitol grounds: Senate panel
A Senate committee has concluded that the Florida man who flew a one-man gyrocopter and landed it on the U.S. Capitol grounds, had exposed security gaps and inadequate coordination among the agencies charged with protecting the Capitol, the White House, and other Washington landmarks. In addition to calling for better coordination among the different agencies responsible for securing important sites in Washington, D.C., the committee strongly recommends seeking new “technological solutions” to spot similar flights in the future, suggesting that Congress should also consider increasing penalties for those who breach the restricted airspace.
A Senate committee has concluded that the Florida postal worker who flew a one-man gyrocopter and landed it on the U.S. Capitol grounds, had exposed security gaps and inadequate coordination among the agencies charged with protecting the Capitol, the White House, and other Washington landmarks,.
The conclusion by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is the first official finding regarding the 15 April incident.
Doug Hughes said he flew his gyrocopter from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to Washington, D.C. to draw attention to his campaign against what he regards as the growing role of money in American politics.
The committee’s staff report concludes that the Secret Service should have done more to learn of Hughes’s intentions before he launched his flight, rather than concluding he was not a threat – although his inconsistent statements should have been a concern. The Capitol Police, relying on the Secret Service’s investigation, chose not to investigate Hughes independently.
The committee found that the state of protective measures also left a lot to be desired, as “technological limitations” with current radar technology allowed Hughes to fly unnoticed by authorities “due to the speed, size, and altitude of his gyrocopter.”
The committee report recommends several steps to improve security and prevent another breach which, next time, may be carried out by an individual who wants to inflict real damage rather than merely engage in a political protest. The report calls on the Secret Service, the Capitol Police, U.S. Park Police, and other intelligence and law enforcement agencies to “improve communication, coordination, and information-sharing processes between and within agencies,” including determining a “lead entity” for investigating possible restricted airspace breaches.
The committee strongly recommends seeking new “technological solutions” to spot similar flights, suggesting that Congress should consider increasing penalties for those who breach the restricted airspace.
“As we watched a gyrocopter land in front of the U.S. Capitol building, many of us asked whether current security measures are functioning properly, were the right protocols followed, and whether the agencies charged with protecting this airspace acted appropriately,” said Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), the committee’s chairman, in a statement. “While a perfect security apparatus is impossible to achieve, law enforcement agencies need to do more to help ensure people such as Mr. Hughes are not able slip through the cracks and carry out unlawful and unsafe plans, especially within or near our nation’s Capital.”
Senator Tom Carper (D-Delaware), the committee’s ranking Democrat, said that, “I hope the agencies involved will review this report, its findings, and its recommendations, especially when it comes to improving interagency coordination and communication.”
The Washington Post reports that Hughes has been charged in federal court with six felony and misdemeanor counts and faces up to 9.5 years in prison. Hughes rejected a plea offer from the Justice Department last month and is awaiting trial.
