10 INCREDIBLE Security Features In The White House!

 

Where does the President go in times of crisis?

 How does the White House kitchen prevent the the First Family from being poisoned?

 Find out in 10 Incredible Security Features In The White House!

 Number 10.

 "Bullet Proof Windows"

 On November 11, 2011 a man named Oscar Ortega-Hernandez, who was obsessed with the date 11/11/11 and fixated on assassinating President Obama, took a modified AK-47 and fired upon the back windows of The White House.

 The shots were fired from nearby Constitution Ave, about 2,000 feet away, where Hernandez had stationed his car.

 Fortunately for the first family and the country, Hernandez failed to prepare for two things: one, the President wasn't home and two, the windows are reinforced with a special type of ballistic glass.

 Although the exact specifications of this bullet-proof glass that was added in the 90s aren't openly discussed for precautionary reasons, experts believe that it has to be at least Level 8 glass-clad polycarbonate.

 This type of ballistic glass can easily stop bullets like the kind fired by Hernandez and even more intense blasts.

 Every one of the 147 windows on the White House is equipped with this material and its a good thing too, as even though President Obama wasn't there at the time, one of his daughters and mother-in-law were.

 One of the bullets that were recovered from the scene was wedged inside on of the back windows while another one was found in the backyard.

 Not only are these windows bullet-proof there it is believed that they are equipped will ultrasonic devices that prevent would-be spies from listening in on top secret conversations inside.

 Number 9.

 "Food Testing"

 When one thinks of the term food tester it conjures up images of paranoid dictators like Napoleon or Stalin but the American Commander-In-Chief uses one as well.

 It may not often be talked about because they are usually a little more sly than the nervous food tasters in movies.

 When traveling or eating out the President's food taster is usually a member of the secret service or a trusted White House chef.

 The food tasting doesn't get done in dramatic fashion in front of everyone at the dining table rather in the kitchen area where the food is being prepared.

 The Secret Service also usually does a thorough search of this kitchen before the meal is even prepared.

 When dining at the White House all of the food that is prepared has already gone through intensive testing at an offsite facility.

 This facility is top secret as are the true sources of the ingredients used in the dishes.

 Number 8.

 "Restricted Air Space"

 Early in the morning on September 12th, 1994 while President Clinton was in office a man struggling with depression and other mental issues flew a small two-seater plane into the South lawn with the wreckage coming to rest near the base of the White House two stories underneath the presidential bedroom.

 Even though the Clintons were staying across the street that night due to the ventilation system was being repaired, the photographs of a plane wreck only feet away from the leader of the free-world's abode were a scary sight.

 There has long been restricted air space over the White House which stretches for 18,000 feet around it and is monitored by the Federal Aviation Administration.

 Planes that fly into this secure space will be warned initially but if the plane does not correct its flight path fighter jets will be sent out to escort it out of the area.

 However, this small plane was able to reach the white house as it was flying just above the treetops.

 It was also said at the time that the Secret Services' plan to protect the president in this event was more to get them to safety rather than try and stop the plane.

 The technology that is used to protect this air space has progressed considerably since this event due to necessity and technical capabilities.

 Lazers and advanced radar systems are used to detect anything entering the area.

 There are a couple unconfirmed yet fascinating methods the Secret Service or military might be using to protect The White House from future plane crashes or aerial attacks.

 There have been several reports that say nearby building have anti-aircraft weapons on top of them that are equipped with Stinger missiles.

 Even more futuristic is the reported Lazer Dazzler system that The White House might have.

 The Dazzler is a controversial device that shoots strobing beams of light at a pilot or attackers, significantly disorienting them.

 Number 7.

 "Air Filtration"

 Chemical weapons are an even bigger threat today then they have ever been.

 From potential dangers like tiny capsules filled with devastating viruses to vicious gases that are undetectable by even the most highly skilled noses the White House needs to be prepared in the event that an undetected assassin unleashes an airborne toxin.

 To defend against this, The White House has been renovated several times over with the latest air filtration system.

 In a similar way to which Las Vegas casinos are constantly pumping in fresh and special scented oxygen in order to disperse smoke and fill gamblers with happy feelings, The White House is always pumping in fresh oxygen and sucking out any foreign particles.

 Number 6.

 "Monitoring"

 Even in recent years with heightened security at The White House there are dozens of people who have jumped the fence or attempted to get inside by other means whether with the purpose of harming the first family or just getting on TV but luckily most of these people don't make it very far as the monitoring system around the President's lair is one of the most advanced in all of the world.

 There are hundreds of cameras lining the property and hidden within it that can not only record in high definition but using thermal imaging and night vision.

 These cameras have been placed so strategically that their is not a single blind spot around the White House.

 If you could somehow go undetected by these cameras you will undoubtedly set off one of the other two monitoring systems on the grounds.

 The lawns surrounding the White and various courtyards are filled with alarms underneath the ground that are sensitive to pressure and if that's not enough to stop First Fans from taking midnight strolls up to the President's doorstep they will probably set off the infrared sensors that monitor all ground activity.

 Number 5.

 "Secret Service"

 Just as important as all of the technology used to protect the White House is the human element.

 In some cases the Secret Service is even more efficient than all the cameras and radar that money can buy.

 The Secret Service has gone from being a small force comprised of a handful of agents even as recently as the 1960s to around 3,000 agents and 3,000 other employees in the tech, administrative and uniformed officer division.

 In addition to the agents you see in black suits around the president on any given day there are hundreds of secret service members posed as everything from gardeners to tourists disguised in plain clothes working inside the White House and around it.

 There are also highly trained snipers positioned on the rooftops of surrounding buildings reading like hawks around the clock.

 These are some of the most highly skilled snipers in the world with the ability to hit targets over 1,000 yards in distance.

 Whenever the President or his family are home there is also a SWAT team standby that takes to the roof whenever they are leaving or entering The White House, ready for anything.

 All Secret Service members go through monthly reviews and train in Washington D.C.'s Maryland suburbs, practicing for any type of attack that may come their way.

 On The White House premises several different teams of Secret Service Agents divide up the various patrol areas.

 If you are thinking about going fence-jumping don't expect these Agents to wait until you come near them, they are trained to immediately rush and take out anyone breaching the grounds in their sights.

 Over the years there have been some extremely brave members of the service who have lost their lives or been seriously wounded by protecting the president, without concern for themselves.

 Number 4.

 "Operations Center"

 Underneath the White House's East Wing is one of the most important rooms in the United States.

 This is the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, and it is from here that the President runs the country in times of crisis.

 Known by the abbreviation PEOC, this room was built President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the 1940s and was specifically designed to be able to hold up against a nuclear attack.

 Getting to this safe room is like the opening sequence to the television show 'Get Smart', you have to go several floors below the ground in an elevator and then a series of large metal vault doors with biometric eye scanners and a series of key card pads.

 The inside looks like a giant boardroom with several phones and televisions so the president can give orders and receive reconnaissance.

 The room is frequently used on a daily basis for training exercises and various meetings.

 The most recent time that it was used as an emergency headquarters was during September 11th when the National Security Council and President George W. Bush orchestrated the aid-efforts and various strategic responses for the tragedy.

 Number 3.

 "Tunnels"

 The Operations Center isn't the only secret that lies beneath the historic White House grounds, jutting out in all different directions to locations throughout Washington D.C. there are a series of underground tunnels.

 The first tunnels may have been built hundreds of years ago but the was modernized in the 1950s while the White House underwent a three year renovation process in which it was completely reinforced with more modern building materials like steel and concrete.

 The known tunnel that was built during this period was one that linked both Wings of the White House, the operations center and other shelters.

 While President Reagan was in office in the 1980s a tunnel that leads from a secret door out of the Oval Office and into the safety of the basement below.

 There are several rumored tunnels whose existence has yet to be confirmed one that connects to the Vice President's house, the Pentagon, Blair House across the street and one that leads from the White House's East Wing into the Treasury Building's basement.

 There may even be a secret tunnel that lead from the White House to the common presidential retreat Camp David.

 Number 2.

 "Barriers"

 Despite years and years of security tech upgrades one of the strongest intruder or would-be assassin deterrent features of the White House is also one of the simplest--It's iconic iron fence.

 The original fence that was built by Thomas Jefferson was actually made of wood and only designed to keep farm animals from wandering into the White House gardens but as Washington DC grew and threats evolved so too did the fence.

 The wooden fence was slowly replaced in the 1800s with an iron fence that was just over six and a half feet tall but this was initially only for show.

 After several incidents of unwanted guests traipsing up to the property, President Grover Cleveland decided to close off the open spaces in the fence.

 During World War II the driveways were closed off and the White House basically functioned as a military compound.

 The fence was strengthened to defend against assault vehicles and guards were stationed at even points throughout its perimeter.

 After the nation lost President Kennedy in the 1960s, there was a heightened fear of future attacks and the fence was increased in height by just over half a foot bringing its new height to 7 feet and 6 inches.

 As threats became more advanced and weapons improved the White House felt pressured to become even more of a castle adding concrete barriers in front of the fence and closed off Pennsylvania Avenue traffic completely to prevent attacks from IEDs and more sophisticated modern tactics.

 Number 1.

 "Drone Defense"

 From one of the oldest features to one of the newest.

 In order to stop the threat of weaponized consumer drones, the White House has incorporated some unique technology that can down them in an instant.

 In what is called 'geofencing' the Federal Aviation Administration requires that drone manufacturers have a program built into them that requires them to enforce the Administration's no-fly zone boundaries.

 This program effectively shuts down a drone if tries to fly into the established 'geofence'

 which covers a 35 mile radius, encircling the White House.

 Even if you were to accidentally fly a drone into the air-space the security doesn't stop where your drone does.

 As an owner of any device that is snatched by the geofence will be subject to investigation and prosecution.

 There are many other government buildings that have strict no-fly zones overhead and many companies are beginning to use them in order prevent aerial espionage.

 So if you are an avid toy aviator be careful where you drive your drone.

 If you were President and could upgrade the White House in any way you desired, what would you add?