U.S. 'icon parks' lacking security

Sep 9, 2003 12:00 PM

U.S. Interior Department says the U.S. Park Service has delayed, postponed or ignored steps to protect national icons as funding for enhanced security competes with other projects.

Security at the nation's "icon parks" - such as Independence National Historical Park, home of the Liberty Bell, and sites such as the National Mall that holds the Washington Monument - should be the prime concern of the National Park Service, according the federal report.

"At a time when our country's susceptibility to attack is at the forefront of concern, every reasonable course of preventative action must be taken," Inspector General Earl Devaney says. "After conducting this assessment, we believe that, as of now, this is not the case. It is imperative that icon park protection take precedence over all other park concerns."

The report indicates there are no law enforcement officers on duty at some parks; facilities leave gates open and unstaffed; and security cameras are installed too far from monuments. The inspector general recommends that the most significant national monuments and memorials should have trained security managers on site.

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