The Most Secure (White) House on the Block

People across the United States have personal security systems to keep their home and belongings safe from unwanted intruders and thieves, but one American home’s security stands a cut above the rest.

The White House is a military fortress, nearly impossible to breach. In the early days, the White House was actually open to the public, and it wasn’t uncommon to have people come in off the street to take a peek around. These days, things have changed. Although visitors can still tour the residence, the protection of the first family is of utmost importance, and as a result, visitation is highly restricted.

The first line of defense at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is the wrought iron fence that surrounds the compound. Guard stations control the entrances, keeping close tabs on who enters and leaves compound, along with advanced video monitoring systems. Beyond that, state-of-the-art alarms and infrared sensors are positioned beneath and above the ground, respectively. All the windows at the White House are bulletproof, leaving the occupants safe and secure inside.

However, the White House’s manpower provides security that surpasses that of most American homes. Established in 1922 as the “White House Police Force,” the men charged with protecting the compound were fully integrated into the Secret Service in 1930. The exact number on the force is unknown, but estimates suggest that there are over 1,300 uniformed officers that patrol the White House complex, the Vice President’s residence, the Department of treasury and various other high profile locations throughout the Capitol district.

The White House security forces are broken down into four distinct units: The Counter Sniper Unit, which defends against long range sniper threats, especially in regards to protecting the president; The Canine Explosives Detection Unit, which provides explosive detection and support; The Emergency Response Team, which responds to intrusions on the White House grounds; and the Magnetometers, which use metal detectors to screen White House visitors for weapons.

Furthermore, teams of snipers patrol the White House roof, which are trained to hit targets from over 1,000 yards away. All of the Uniformed Division are highly armed with Kevlar assault suits, machine guns, and pistols. In addition to the White House forces, 2,800 plainclothes agents offer aid and support throughout D.C. as needed.