A Warning Shot for Event Security After Violence at DC Gala

In 1981, the Hilton hotel in Washington, D.C., was the site of an assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan by John Hinckley Jr. Macabre echoes of that horrible event could be felt at that venue Saturday when a gunman rushed a security checkpoint during the White House Correspondents' Dinner—an event that counted President Donald Trump and other leaders among its guests—and fired shots before he was apprehended by Secret Service agents.

This past weekend's incident marked another attempt on Trump's life, and it has brought additional scrutiny to the people and practices that protect the most powerful people in the world. 

Paul Rothman, editor-in-chief of Security Infowatch, takes a look at Saturday's attack, and he tackles three questions:

• Did the Secret Service's security plan work?
• How do we report on the perpetrators of these violent acts?
• What more should be done in the future? 

Here's how Rothman puts it:

"(S)ecurity is a foundational element to an event, not an accessory—and that philosophy must extend beyond the checkpoint. It must include the camera at the end of the hallway, the relationship built with a venue before an incident forces the conversation, and the industry-wide willingness to say publicly that amplifying an assassin’s ideology is itself a threat vector."

Read Rothman's full column for his breakdown of the security issues that have been put under a microscope since the incident. Plus, check out OFFICER Magazine's coverage of how law enforcement is addressing active shooter situations:

• Active Shooter Events & Response Evolution Podcast Series: A six-part podcast series that looks at how law enforcement has adapted tactics and training to combat active shooter incidents over the years.
• Active Shooter Scene & Response Management: This Officer Virtual Academy course provides an overview of managing the incident scene, the post response staffing and related rally points necessary after an active shooter event.
• Active Shooter Media Management: This Officer Virtual Academy course reviews and discusses concerns managing media response to or after active shooter events.