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WASHINGTON, March 17 (UPI) -- The director of the Secret Service is asking Congress for $8 million to build a replica White House 20 miles away from the real deal for training purposes. Secret Service Director Joseph P. Clancy's prepared remarks, released ahead of his testimony before the House Appropriations Committee Tuesday, detail his plans to build an $8 million White House replica in Beltsville, Md., for the agency to use for training purposes.
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"The Secret Service currently uses a rudimentary, not-to-scale simulation of the north grounds of the White House, using bike barricades to act as the fencing," Clancy's remarks state. "There are no structures, vehicle gates, lighting or other aids to enhance the training simulations."
Clancy's plan wouldn't recreate the entire White House, but would create a "more realistic environment, conducive to scenario-based training exercises," with sections including the facade of the residence, the East and West Wings, guard booths and a mock-up of the surrounding area.
The request follows widespread criticism of the Secret Service after a man armed with a knife was able to scale a fence, climb through bushes and make his way into the depths of the White House before being stopped by agents and officers in September. Clancy was appointed by President Barack Obama in February following a shake-up at the agency.
A panel of security experts appointed by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson after the September incident recommended the Secret Service increase training time "in conditions that replicate the physical environment in which they will operate."
The agency has recently come under further scrutiny after a pair of agents crashed a government vehicle into a security barricade near the White House residence March 4. The agents had allegedly been drinking before the incident at a Washington bar.
