Police concerned about order to stop weapons screening at Obama rally
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.
“Sure,” said Lawrence, when asked if he was concerned by the great number of people who had gotten into the building without being checked. But, he added, the turnout of more than 17,000 people seemed to be a “friendly crowd.”
The Secret Service did not return a call from the Star-Telegram seeking comment.
Doors opened to the public at 10 a.m., and for the first hour security officers scanned each person who came in and checked their belongings in a process that kept movement of the long lines at a crawl. Then, about 11 a.m., an order came down to allow the people in without being checked.
Several Dallas police officers said it worried them that the arena was packed with people who got in without even a cursory inspection.
They spoke on condition of anonymity because, they said, the order was made by federal officials who were in charge of security at the event.
“How can you not be concerned in this day and age,” said one policeman.
jld@star-telegram.com
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Bullshit… A “friendly crowd” huh. Malcolm had a friendly crowd, and look how that turned out. Would it have too much to have the speech start just a lil late? Being late ain’t nuthin new to us…
This is real disconcerting…
Bullshit!!!!!!!!!! A “friendly crowd”" just like we thought the crowds were friendly in 1963 huh, and look how that turned out. These cops and Secret Service Agents are dumb and don’t know their history. And I wasn’t born until 1981. At least I know my history!!!!!
They aren’t dumb at all. They want Barack shot. They do know their history. They know it well.
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hmm, yeah when i went to hear him speak in bmore, i just opened my coat to security and kept it moving. they didnt seem to concern at all about the the security aspect of the event, but more so on the tip of just get the people in. it was cold asa b…h outside, but still. i made a comment about the lack of security and i was shrugged off. there were made secret service, bcpd, security firms and rent a cops at this event but i was still nervous.
I’m a concerned Obama supporter that believe the Secret Service and the majority of Law enforcement agencies are going to continue to allow lapses in security. They will blame his inevitable assasination on some crazed individual, so they won’t feal the heat from the American public.
Does Barack know about this? If so he needs to fire his entire security staff and hire some real soilders and I’m not talking about US Military Boys.
Well from an initial perspective it appears that the US Secret Service is abandoning the thought process that everyones needs to be checked. But once one really sits and thoroughly examines the scenario – it was a quite professional exhibition of experience. See in theory if someone where to assasinate O’bama(GOD fordide) they would be more prone to entering the venue within the first thirty to forty minutes. Thus gaining good positioning to aim or fire a fatal blow. Because if someone is willing to get up close and personal they want to deliver a concrete message and are definitely more than willing to sacrafice their life, lives of others, and ultimately their own freedom. Therefore by doing heavy security detail and searching within the first hour is smart – b/c whoever or whomever is attempting doesn’t want their plans foiled by a simple security check. Furthermore if they were in line and got word of Secret Service doing security checks they would eventually leave the line seamlessly to let’s say ” use the bathroom “. Because they would also be smart enough to know that ANYONE who leaves the line all of the sudden will definitely spark suspicion. So in my theoretical and polictically correct opinion that was a professionally expericenced maneuver. In my personal ” black man living in today’s modern society ” opinion I find that maneuver b.s. – b/c security should simply be on 24hr security detail. This goes with any presidential canditate or whomever is running for high public office positions. Especially in O’bama’s case these measures should be sought out at all times. In result of the underlining unaddressed racial climates and issues that exists in Amercia.
IF THAT WAS A WHITE OBAMA OR A WHITE PERSON SPEAKING AT THAT POLITICAL SHIT, THAT SHIT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN TOLERATED… RACISM LIVES
Well from an initial perspective it appears that the US Secret Service is abandoning the thought process that everyones needs to be checked. But once one really sits and thoroughly examines the scenario – it was a quite professional exhibition of experience. See in theory if someone were to assasinate O’bama(GOD forbide) they would be more prone to entering the venue within the first thirty to forty minutes. Thus gaining good positioning to aim or fire a fatal blow. Because if someone is willing to get up close and personal they want to deliver a concrete message and are definitely more than willing to sacrafice their life, lives of others, and ultimately their own freedom. Therefore by doing heavy security detail and searching within the first hour is smart – b/c whoever or whomever is attempting doesn’t want their plans foiled by a simple security check. Furthermore if they were in line and got word of Secret Service doing security checks they would eventually leave the line seamlessly to let’s say ” use the bathroom “. Because they would also be smart enough to know that ANYONE who leaves the line all of the sudden will definitely spark suspicion. So in my theoretical and polictically correct opinion that was a professionally expericenced maneuver. In my personal ” black man living in today’s modern society ” opinion I find that maneuver b.s. – b/c security should simply be on 24hr security detail. This goes with any presidential canditate or whomever is running for high public office positions. Especially in O’bama’s case these measures should be sought out at all times. In result of the underlining unaddressed racial climates and issues that exists in America.
Its sad that they can allow something like that to happen. I hope and pray nothing happens to Barak, not only because I support him, but if he is assassinated what message would that send the youth in our community? Imagine the outrage? This isn’t 1963 anymore, must they be reminded of the Rodney King verdict? Shawn Bell was enough. We are really getting fed up with our lives being taken for granted. I just pray for Baraks comtinued safety and hope that the people surronding him truely have his best interest at heart.
After that event, the agent who made that call, SHOULD NOT be affiliated with his security detail anymore. CUT THE GRASS ON THE SNAKES OBAMA!!
*steps off her milk crate and walks away..*
(1)Would they stop checking security on a plane just because the lines where moving slow? Would they do this to Bush, or to Hillary? Since this was federaly ordered, I think Obama should get private security, since abviously, the government doesn’t care much about him.
(2)The message would be that Black people should stay in there place, and that no matter how hard we try, nothing will ever change.
white people are terrified shitless of da day black people actualy get our shit together so wen somebody like 50 cent makes a comment about america is not ready for a blackman for president every body said he was a asshole but i totally agree if they do kill obama the whole world will turn on america cause dey already think were hipocrits
Everytime I see this guy give a speech, the thoughts at the back of my mind are of the most paranoid kind. Almost like I’m waiting for that shot to ring out. Maybe I’ve just watched JFK one too many times, but you know this guy is a major target. If Barack is touched, best believe the Secret Service played a part.
Someone close to Obama has to notify him of this “secret service” lack of service. He obviously does not know. What can we do. They (goverment) planned Kennedy, X, MLK and I feel he may be next.
Something has to change.
As far as 50 Cent saying that shit about not voting for Barack because he thinks he’ll be killed, that’s some bullshit. Matter of fact, that’s a slave mentality. What did whites do when they didn’t want balck people to vote or be free in the south? String some up by their necks to try to intimidate the other African-Americans to not seek social change. I agree, Barack is a major target and there is validity to 50’s assessment of the situation, but if that’s the reason he gives for not voting for the guy, he’s a fucking clown. Whoever is looking to 50 Cent for his political knowledge needs help, BAD!!
Everyone knows what that was really about and no one is really willing to say it. The secret service are not dumb. They knew exactly what they were doing. Thats like asking someone to juggle knives and being surprised when they get cut. The secret service was hoping for someone to go in and take Obama out and they did everything within thier power to see that happen. The fact that it didn’t happen could be because of one of three reasons: 1). whomever was supposed to do the job got cold feet or 2). There really was a friendly crowd or 3). they couldn’t get a clear shot. Of course had he been taking out, you can bet your ass the fiasco with the medal detecters would have been hushed up and swept under the rug, and bush would have been lamenting about what a tragedy this is. Then again, I wouldn’t be surprised if Bush and Hillary weren’t behind this. She’s not doing so good in this primary race after all, and you know her husband has still got some clout.
to Hiram below… love your logic about the first 30 minutes… but don’t you think you’ve just told all the crazed assassins to now bring their A-K’s and S-K’s in after the first hour… they can just walk right on in in their full-length trenchcoats and find a seat in the rafters…
this is obviously an attempt to get barrack killed! also i would like for everyone to know that this is probablly the same secret service agents who almost got ( even tho i dont like him) george bush killed with that grenade back in the country of georgia some time back…google it. maybe they said…hey you guys want your jobs back? ” protect obama..” this a bunch of bull!!! hillary doesnt seem to be having these lapses….. i like what that other guy said also.. BARRACK YOU NEED TO HIRE SOME BROTHERS FROM THE HOOD TO WATCH YA BACK….PIT BULLS AND ALL…but that wouldnt look to ” professional…” dude ya need to thoroughly check ya
“detail”