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Event Security – The Obama Legacy

Event security has never been so high profile ever since Barack Obama became president of the United States.

Event security is crucial, but perhaps there was no other event in history as daunting and problematic as the inauguration of Barack Obama in Washington. The occasion had such historic import raising many unpleasant echoes of high profile assassinations, including most notably JF Kennedy. The event security logistics were huge. And whenever Obama is taking part in an event, event security is the number one priority. The recent G20 summit testified to that. Barack Obama's visit to the UK was momentous. And with him came a level of unprecedented event security. So much so, that the broadsheets carried features dedicated to the security of the president, asking questions such as, 'why do those US Secret Service agents always wear shades?'

Event Security: Presidential Treatment

Anyone who works in event security will tell you that their staff don't always wear shades! But when they do, the official explanation according to the Secret Service, is simply to protect their eyes from the glare of the sun. But another theory is because wearing shades ensures the event security staff are not noticeable when they scan the crowd. Audience members can't tell if they're being watched, even if the shades do make event security staff more identifiable by the fact they often wear them with sharp suits, stern expressions and ear pieces. Trained event security staff and secret service agents will be on the look out for anomalies in the crowd that could trigger suspicions.
A third theory is that the shades have become something of a uniform for event security staff – being visible not secret is in fact important; wearing the shades is part of the deterrent to warn potential troublemakers that there is a strong security force present.

Security on a Massive Scale

Obama's presence triggers event security on a massive scale. The G20 visit saw American helicopters, armoured limousines, a six-doctor medical team and 200 US secret service staff descent on British turf. Obama demands extensive event security – bigger than any music or movie star can muster – as well as his dedicated secret service, the high-tech event security equipment included a $300,000 presidential limousine complete with oxygen tanks, a tear-gas canon, reinforced steel and a night-vision camera. As well as the event security staff and equipment, the president was accompanied by over 500 officials and staff, including chefs flown in from the White House kitchens. One official told the Guardian newspaper: “When the president travels, the White House travels with him, right down to the car he drives, the water he drinks, the gasoline he uses, the food he eats. America is still the sole superpower and the president must have the ability to handle any crisis, anywhere, any time.”