Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Concerned American, Tampa, FL — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:03:58 GMT

Bush has cut funding for the National Park Service and it really shows. Many of the parks are littered with trash and are operating on extremely small budgets. My wife and I went to the Grand Canyon for a week, and as we entered and left the park several times during our visit there wasn't even a Park Attendant at the front gate to collect entrance fees. There must have been thousands of cars that drove right through without paying an entrance fee. No wonder the NPS is nearly bankrupt.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

John Doe Savoy Il — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:08:47 GMT

It's a shame. Washington has all the money necessary for pork barrel projects and none for the National Park security

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

John Michael, Alexandria, VA — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:17:28 GMT

"the monuments are still standing" ? If that isn't arrogance, then I don't know what is. The Chief of the Park Police should "RESIGN" for that and for the fact that his people ARE NOT WORKING... What are we paying these people for if they aren't doing their jobs and who's making sure they are doing their jobs?

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Linda, omaha — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:28:16 GMT

You can't expect armed military type of personnel at these locations. America can't afford it. They jobs are low paid, and primarily a no-brain job.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Jimmy Crackhorn — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:37:39 GMT

Maybe - you idiots - it's because this is a relatively SAFE country and not at all in danger of anything except for FEAR propagated by this administration. YOu fools in the media call this news? Holy cow man, YOU are the ones we are afraid of!!!!!!!!!!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

observer in DC — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:41:40 GMT

I've been a tour guide in DC for 20 years and this is just coming to light? it's not news! that system has been broken a long time and Bush has added fuel to the fire by cutting back on the budget.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Christina, New York, NY — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:56:22 GMT

these guys will bwe looking for new jobs.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Amy Price Austin, TX — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:19:26 GMT

I hate that the comment from the Park Police chief was so smart-ass, but I'm sure he is tired of years of insufficient funding. The same people who cut his budget also get to slam him in a published report. Probably not surprising he hasn't quit. Let's hope his words are signs of a sense of humor and not a lack of concern.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

dennis dickerson, las vegas, nv — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:20:57 GMT

It's so hard to fire a government employee.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Jeremy Rollins, Hammond, IN — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:25:28 GMT

I think I am going to apply for one of those park jobs!!!! Paid to sleep!!!!!!!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Anthony Rauch, Vancouver, WA — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:38:14 GMT

Thank you Concerned American from Florida, I couldn't have put it any better. People expect the same level of service even after budgets are cut tremendously. As a civil public society, let's keep the parks clean when we visit, and the remaining staff won't have to spend so much time cleaning after us, and actually doing the job of cleaning up after us.

As far as the staff not doing their job? Just like anywhere else. Fire them, and hire someone who will do the job.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

josh , USA — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:43:41 GMT

its a bad thing that the NPS is understaffed, but what makes the situation worse is the release of this information to the general public. people who may have thought the monuments are well protected may see this as an opening for them.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Bill, San Diego, CA — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:45:08 GMT

I as recently visiting Washington DC and spent some time at the national Mall touring the monuments. At the Washington Monument, I was made to take off all my outer clothes and place them through a X-ray machine... same as the Airport. The only difference is at the airport, somone actually is looking at gthe X-Ray. At the Washington Monument, the security is all foreign, Nigerian I beleive, and more interested in gosip than security.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Tgalley Waterford Maine — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:05:37 GMT

Have you ever even been to the Statue of Liberty?

I was there on 24 December and the security was oppressive - no other way to describe it.

It made airport security look lame. Three levels of security including the "snifter machines" that "smell" explosives. It took two hours to get in.

Get your facts straight...

You are a typical mass media, uninformed idiot.

I have no axe to grind, just been there.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Alex Shaver, Pittsburgh, PA — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:06:33 GMT

Certainly I'd like the people we're already paying to guard these monuments to actually do their job, but this article also smells of "hey give our department more funding." I just don't like this pattern of using terrorism as a means to appropriating more and more taxpayer money. Certainly losing a symbol would be a sad day, but it's just that, a symbolic attack. Whatever money we are spending towards anit-terrorism should be focused on actually protecting people's lives.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Lance Taylor, Boise, Idaho — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:13:46 GMT

Where's Secretary Kempthorne in all of this? I know he was the cabinet officer selected to watch the State of the Union from an undisclosed location but maybe someone should tell him it's OK to come out now & start running his department.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Byron Mathews, Miami, FL — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:16:11 GMT

This kind of article serves not to protect us one bit, but to spew fear so that we will be herded like sheep into a fascist police state. I was a patient and regular visitor to the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD until they walled and fenced it in like a penitentiary and made you go through several checkpoints where minimum wage cretins would search you and your and your car. I said "No more. Study someone else," and withdrew from my NIH protocol. It is time we took our country back from these fascists. The private security company that has a multi-million dollar contract to "protect" the NIH and other DC area sites is nothing but a scam for a political kickback. The security they are providing is bogus and it wouldn't take a person with a 3rd grade education to figure a way around it. Meanwhile, money our country doesn't have is going down the toilet (and then back into our politicians' pockets) to finance this charade.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Imran, Lawrence, USA — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:18:25 GMT

Loose lips sink ships!

Why tell evey tom, dick, and harry where our soft spots are?

Just whose side are you on?

It is reprehensible how such stories are allowed online. I'm not advocating censorship, but how about being responsible for once.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

John, Blue Ridge, Georgia — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:24:50 GMT

I Grew up and lived in Alexandria, Virginia from 1960-1979. Now living in the Georgia Mountains, the wife an I travel back to the DC area every New Years and one other time durring the summer. Our last trip 12/28/2007 to 1/5/2008 I noticed security to be very poor around the Monuments, seems they let the homeless and beggers hang out around the museums and monuments pandhandling for money now. Some will even run up to you while you are walking....others will run up to yopur car while your at a light, some were sryng out junkies looking for money to get a fix.....Something needs to be done to help these people bup Park Police also need to keep these people out of tourists area's like the Mall and from around the monuments and museums, years ago you didnt see them south of Pa. Ave, they were mostly in parks north of the tourist area's.

Those cops sleeping should be fired along with ones reading the paper and talking on the cell phones.

This year we spent most of our vacation around Old Town Alexandria and the Delray area of Alexandria (my old stomping grounds), Alexandria has a strong police present and it does make you feel safe while DC police and park police seem to let folks run wild now....Its time to fire a bunch of them and get officers who will do their job......I can see tourism falling off if they dont do something and that will cost DC business lots of money.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

David, Arizona — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:30:34 GMT

I have to disagree with this artile, I have been to those sites and guards were present, Statue of Liberty took about 1.2 hours to get through and even though I was handicap it took over 45 mins. The other monuments has officers walking around and sleeping or or anything else. Not sure who is starting the crap, but its here. Maybe the GC or other park area have an issue, but in NY and DC I didn't see any security issue's

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Joanna Nash, Colorado Springs, CO — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:33:12 GMT

Thank you, MSNBC, for telling the terrorists exactly how to blow up our stacks of marble.

Fortunately, terrorists aren't interested in monuments. They only want to blow up as many people as possible, and monuments don't hold as many people as skyscrapers.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

fissilemissile — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:35:22 GMT

Yeah this was a good story. I like how it outlined the real issues and got to the heart of important investigative journalism. Oh wait that was a different report on WMD's that Bush found... Oh wait that report was never written. What the hell is my consumer dollar going to? A producer's puff piece? Dude, seriously dust off the old note pad and do some real work.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

scottmaiwald@hotmail.com — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:37:17 GMT

Just one more example of how the media sounds the dinner bell to see how many people will line up for dinner.

If it's in print it has to be true right?

Leave it to MSNBC... the best when it comes to the tail wagging the dog.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Concerned Taxpayer Roseburg, OR — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:43:32 GMT

That is the problem with the government anymore. They say contracting out the work will save money, but does it?

Those of us who were forced out know better. They lose all the experience and then a contractor gets the contract and has people who know nothing about the agency or what has taken place. Most contractor's are only in it for the money.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Gary F, Gainesville, FL — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:47:16 GMT

When was the last time one of these monuments was attacked? Why would a terrorist attack them in the first place, when there are many other places crowded people where they could blow themselves up? These are symbols of freedom, let's not screw them up in the name of a false sense of security. As Benjamin Franklin said, "He who sacrifices freedom for security deserves neither."

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Clay White Dallas, TX — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:55:13 GMT

Wow, so are yall trying to advertise to terrorists now or what?

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Eric, Washington — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:55:14 GMT

To those complaining about this article exposing 'soft spots', this was not an investigation by msnbc. The information is based on a report by the Interior Department’s Inspector General.

Anyone can get access to these reports on the IGs website, and their purpose is to right the wrongs of the current system.

Security through obscurity is no security at all.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

John, Folsom CA — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:55:23 GMT

Hey, thanks for telling the bad guys our weaknesses. While I don't doubt the author of this article probably got a promotion, this type of journalism is shameful at best.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Chuck, Valley Stream, NY — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:57:35 GMT

If some terrorist group is watching this, plans a big attack, and attempts to execute it. I will laugh my American BUTT off when they get caught BEFORE it happens. Whammo...the Mole is out of the hole. If you REALLY think this stuff isn't promoted to catch a terrorist, you are probably a little daft. Notice how I didn't say it wasn't true, just promoted. It's already been taken care of and placed under surveillance. This is counter-intelligence at its best. Keep dishing this stuff out Journalistic Boys and Girls; sooner or later we'll catch some Mastermind.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Taxpayer, San Mateo, CA — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:59:41 GMT

If anyone thinks that any terrorist interested in blowing up national monuments aren't aware of the security measure, however (in)effective they may be, you are mistaken.
The real problems is that the terrorists know more than most Americans do about our security posture. This is how we learn and improve.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Art, Colorado Springs, Colorado — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:02:08 GMT

Too bad this guy does'nt work for the DoD IG, talk about malfeasance. Everything is always hunky dorey in the DoD!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Burton, NorCal — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:04:18 GMT

This blog post seems to only try to make msnbc look good. If this were responsible journalism, you would have informed the offending parties and given them some time to correct the deficiencies. By releasing this information public, you are only helping terrorists by giving them an advantage. Even in tech, if a malicious security exploit exists, the hole is usually reported to companies (msft, mozilla, etc) and they are given time to correct the problem before information on the breach is shared to the public. This is blog post is irresponsible journalism.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Are You Kidding Me — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:07:36 GMT

Why are we worried about our monuments? It seems to me that terrorists are more interested in mass-murder, not in mass-vandalism. Get your priorities straight ... jeeeez ...

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Liberty Bell, notwhat, crackeduptobe — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:08:06 GMT

who cares. our monuments are great, but it is not like they are going to be taken away if police officers continue to sleep on the job

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Robyn, Los Angeles — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:09:36 GMT

And how much money did it cost us to fund this investigation and report?

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

kws, mempiss, tn — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:09:42 GMT

Terrorists aren't going to care about this article anyway. All they have to do is visit DC and check things out themselves. It will probably inspire some nitwit college students to commit vandalism under the guise of protesting the Bush administration.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Jill, Miami, FL — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:10:12 GMT

No one wants to pay taxes in this country yet all demand better government services, security, roads, police, fire rescue. How are these jobs/services to be paid? IF the population is increasing the taxes collected should also increase.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

John, Blue Ridge, Georgia — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:11:30 GMT

You want to see high security in D.C, go to George Town, Police have a strong presents there. I Guess thats because the Rich and the Politicians Live in that Area.Shame security aint that strong everywhere in D.C....

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

John, Blue Ridge, Georgia — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:14:13 GMT

Posting your Email aint that smart dude.......

Just one more example of how the media sounds the dinner bell to see how many people will line up for dinner.

If it's in print it has to be true right?

Leave it to MSNBC... the best when it comes to the tail wagging the dog.
scottmaiwald@hotmail.com (Monday, February 04, 2008 6:37 PM)

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

LIQ, Oakland Ca — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:16:22 GMT

STOP TELLING The TERRIORIST WHERE 2 ATTACK!!!!!!!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Peter, Bronx, NY — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:19:34 GMT

"the things you own end up owning you"

granted, monuments are high profile, but is that really what we need to be safeguarding? i mean c'mon.

you can replace monuments. you can't replace lives.why not spend the time and resources protecting things more valuable... like schools and hospitals.

feel free to call me wrong, or even, dare say, unpatriotic. but it's just an idea.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Fred Evil, Herndon, VA — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:20:18 GMT

Am I the only who remembers the US Parks Police Chief complaining about this in 2004? What did she get for her troubles you ask?

FIRED!!

Sorry to link to another news org, but here's the story.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/07/10/park.police.chief/index.html

HOW is BushCo supposed to be all about security again?!

Gary F - They are a symbol of our country. Islam is ALL about symbolism, and a successful attack would make us look VERY weak!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Mike, Atlanta, GA — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:21:17 GMT

I am an idiot so I blame Bush for everything.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Earl, Eugene, Or — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:23:06 GMT

Umm... besides the tourists at any of the monuments, why are we really worried about protecting them? If we have the choice between having another person working at a port checking containers or a rent a cop walking around DC giving directions, I'd go with the person who actually does something.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

concerned, chicago, IL — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:30:57 GMT

Concerned citizens: contact your local representative about this! It's the only way, writing a comment on this message board does nothing to change anything. Here is a link to find who to write to:
https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Harry Smith — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:33:49 GMT

Tighten up the security!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Het Heru — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:38:35 GMT

What's all this "Thanks, NBC, you told the terrorists how to blow up our monuments!" malarky....?

Like everyone on the face of the Earth doesn't already KNOW about the Washington Monument or the Statue of Liberty....

I'd think that you'd rather actually defend or explain than make ridiculous accusations with no basis in either fact or reason.

This old "If you don't toe the administration's line, you're a traitor" stuff is very, very old....We've listened to it for 8 years, and we're dang sick of it.

Present facts and reasoning, and stop atempting to paint everyone that doesn't have precisely the same opinions or experiences as you as morally deficient or ignorant or anti-American.

I have no opinions about the National Park Service police....Like any other police force, or any other profession of any kind, I'm sure there are great employees and terrible employees...

But asking questions isn't treason, and trying to insinuate that it is is despicable.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Justme@yahoo.com — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:40:01 GMT

We do not pay our armed forces personal enough, what do you think a park officer gets paid. maybe we should stop paying the sports personal soo much and start spending on the things we need.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Are You Kidding Me, KY, USA — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:42:22 GMT

Why are we worried about our monuments? It seems to me that terrorists are more interested in mass-murder, not in mass-vandalism. Get your priorities straight ... jeeeez ...

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

ira San Juan Capistrano ca — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:48:36 GMT

Maybe if they went through the defense budget we could find a few spare billion dollars that would have no impact on the war in Iraq and spread that around for some of the things that are important to all of us

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Charles, Seattle, WA — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:49:47 GMT

NEWSFLASH!! Security Guards Bored at Their Jobs!!
So the saw a couple security guards reading a paper and talking on a cell phone, I hardly consider that newsworthy. You've got a 100 year old monument that really has no procedure for allowing visitors (they just sort of walk up to most of them), and you expect a security guard to do what? Have his binoculars out looking for that 1 terrorist in 100 years that will do what? Go jump on Lincoln's lap and blow himself up? If your job was to watch a monument all day, I'm pretty sure you would pick up a newspaper too.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

concerned seattle wa — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:52:13 GMT

I have to agree with the person who said
"loose lips, sink the ships" Yea why don't you just go ahead and tell the whole world where our most weak spots are at so then maybe they can attack there. UMMMMM. Maybe we should think before we talk

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

MrEthiopian, Seattle Wash — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:56:14 GMT

There are no terrorists except for Bush and his gang of thieves destroying this once great country. How is this news, should I care that some minimum wage rend a cop is sleeping whilst guarding a rock. This is just another propaganda story to hype the need for more security.

Im sick of this and I want my country back

Impeach Bush! Put him in jail and take all his money!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

jason stachowski, fergus falls, minnesota — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:58:36 GMT

Wake up. Theres trash on these parks because humans, in general are irresponsible. Look at the history!!!! We need to seriously wake up and accept some sort of responsibility. You can only do right, when you knowingly admit you've done wrong. I don't know enough to form any objective opinion on the cost cutting subject, but it reminds me of when I helped my brother move. He offered us a couple beers, and after a couple gouges in furniture, I told him: YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Smart — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:04:14 GMT

They are only worried about the statue of liberty because it's the only supply of precious metal (copper) the government owns after selling all its gold to China.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Joshua L. Central NJ — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:11:53 GMT

On their watches, nothing has happened. That logic alone, applied to homeland security and the US military, has us spending our grandchildrens' money on weapons and soldiers rather than infrastructure, education and paying down the deficit.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Bryan, Washington, DC — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:13:04 GMT

To Imran, it doesn't take a genious to realize that a park ranger is sleeping and not protecting the publiC as he/she is paid to do. Any "terrorist" can figure that out.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Brett, Denver CO — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:13:31 GMT

So many of you commenters site budget cuts as the cause. As someone who grew up in Washington and had several high shcool jobs in government agencies, I can tell you that a government employee doing his or her job is the exeption not the rule. In most cases spending more money on a broken agency just makes it worse. So if they are given less money to waist it doesn't hurt my feelings. In a perfect world the waist would be stopped, poor employees would be fired and the agency would have enough money to do business, good luck getting that. If you have employees sleeping on the job do you think paying them more would change that, do you think hiring more employees would change that, I don't thinks so. All we can really do as taxpayers is demand more and give them less to waist. No matter how much we take away they will continue to waist it, it isn't thier money, and no matter how much we give them it will never be enough, because it's not thier money. It's the nature of governments and a good life lesson, learn it and stop blaming George Bush for the sun rise.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

L.R.Jones — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:18:29 GMT

This whole administration has ruled by fear for the last 7 years. It has lied, cheated, wiped their feet on the Constitution, broken national and international laws, so what makes you think that it's going to be any different if you fire a bunch of inept private "security" guards?

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Ralphpierre, LaCombe, La — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:24:18 GMT

Anything for a good Bush bashing. Completely ignore the fact that the federal government has thwarted litterally HUNDREDS of attempts of terrorism inside the United States since 9/11, find all of the negative stories you can find, and if you can't find enough of them, make some up. Don't these idiots realize that the moment they finally elect one of these communist 'leaders' they idolize so much, their own jobs, along with free speech, are gone? Idots! They are sharpening the swords of their own excutioners!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Texas — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:25:00 GMT

I have been to the Statue of Liberty twice last year. Both times security seemed good. Metal detector, sniffing machine-- you name it. It did take forever to get through security. You had to have a ticket 24hrs in advance . You couldn't just walk up and take a tour.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Sam Hyatt, Royse City, Texas — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:38:24 GMT

I say allow a recession to take place...it spurns growth more slowly but would reenact Americans ability to depend on themselves...We have become to heavy with gimme gimme gimme...Appropriate funds where they are needed and stop filling the cash bags of the rich...To restore our dollar, we need to rely more heavily on American ingenuity, increased spending on higher education on lower levels and like in this report which is available to the world...Stop spending countless hours and billions on stupid studies...If you find a weakness, fix it...Dont hire 300 consultants to come in and tell you what you can plainly see or what is reported to you.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Thomas Mc — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:39:35 GMT

Gov't doesn't work, if you let Republicans in gov't.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

R McConnell, Alpharetta, GA — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:40:05 GMT

Why not have military personnel honor the national monuments by guarding them. They could have special details like the Buckingham palace guards. The changing of the guard would be something people would like to see.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

L. Luna — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:45:32 GMT

The real problem is for everyone to take pride in their work regardless of what it is. I see a problem with any9one who signs a contract and agrees to do any job for a certain amount of money and then uses the excuse of low pay to avoid performing the duties they signed on for. If you are not going to like the job,if you will not be happy with the pay, then do not sign on. If you do, then always do your best. If we all did that there would be fewer problems especially regarding who is responsible for what!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Mary, Austin Texas — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:47:19 GMT

The chief tired of underbudgets???!!! He got his job only because the past chief spoke up and she got fired for it!! So, they found this guy who just stays and talk line and not doing anything about it. Remember, no squeeky wheels get no attention. He is keeping his job by not saying anything and by not DOING NOTHING. EWow, the monuments are standing...for now. Yeah, not a lot to see here folks....just move on.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:49:11 GMT

Test their coffee before you criticize them.

Sabbatage, or trying to get someone inappropriately fired needs to be ruled out

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Half Sigma, Manhattan, NY — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:50:09 GMT

This is stupid, the monuments ARE still standing, why does anyone think that terrorists care about them? They just want to kill people, and high rise buildings make for much easier targets than slabs of marble.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

P. Richard NC — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:50:40 GMT

SECURITY ? LAW ENFORCEMENT don't pay a lot of $$$...but they R "trained" however, when it is
'contracted' most time the "trained" are let go
(because it is CHEAPER) and the contractor hires
[for the most part] a whole lot cheaper help...
Remember ~~~ CONTRACTORS are out to make money/
big bucks/ cutting corners etc..... I.E. - pay 1
person -school trained,so forth- say $23 hour OR
get 3 persons & give them a few hours of do's &
don'ts pay them $6 per hour... WELL hope U can se the results..........sleeping- WHY ? he just got done at a differant job maybe >>>>><<<<<
enough said=pay 'em good, train'em right AND
FIRE them for "dare ellection" of duty if needed...........................

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Rob. Illinois — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:16:02 GMT

Mr.Popkin Senior Investigative Producer WOW you must have nothing to do.Why don't you investigate illegal aliens who take security jobs because americans don't want them then fall asleep on the job. If you want to investigate something investigate why there is still a hole in the ground at ground zero.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

butterflywoman6@yahoo.com — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:24:55 GMT

Great - let's give everyone who would like to make us look like idiots a better shot at doing so. Why would a terrorist attack these spots - because they are a symbol of our freedom!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

John Kendrick,Ellicott City, Maryland — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:30:58 GMT

Recently my family and I toured the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and found that the park staff was plentiful, helpful and attentive. This visit happened over the Dr. Martin Luther King birthday weekend. We had a great time and found the tour and exhibits at Ellis Island, espessially moving.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

George Parson — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:34:53 GMT

Yes, yes, you're all right. Sleeping guards, disinterested guards, it's all because they're not paid enough money.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Shane, Walnut Creek, CA — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:35:08 GMT

Take a look at the Dept. of the Interior's budget for the last 10 years and then this article makes more sense. I briefly worked for the NPS as a lifeguard supervisor after 7 people died the previous summer at one of the most dangerous stretches of beach along the Pacific coastline. The next summer though, funding was cut. I agree that those sleeping should be fired, but nothing will change unless the IG's report to Congress results in more funding. Congress has the power of the purse, and they are using it to ruin our National Parks!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

scott beibin — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:47:48 GMT

I think you guys are being too tough on these cops. Let them sleep! How would YOU feel if you weren't allowed to sleep at your job? This is america where we have this thing called FREEDOM! USA USA USA!!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Derek, Atlanta, GA — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:51:27 GMT

I visited Liberty Island last week and the security was actually obnoxiously intrusive. Airport style security at Battery Park, then airport style security plus bomb detecting air puffer machines before you go into the pedestal. All of this doesn't mean that it's effective (and it's certainly security theater), but no one was asleep and there were plenty of park police. Remember folks, you have the same chance of being struck by a meteor as you do of being killed by a terrorist. 100,000 people will die of the flu this year. What are you afraid of? Terrorists want to instill fear into us, and boy howdy have they ever succeeded. Refuse to be terrorized!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

John Boston MA — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:55:43 GMT

I'm sure all of you critics wouldn't need to catch a cat nap staring at an empty stone building overnight. I'm not saying it's right by any means but let's not be critical unless we've been put in that position ourselves. We're not talking about officers taking 8 hours of solid sleep. Most of us cant function on less than 6 or 7 hours of sleep as it is, let alone work overnight then have to stay up all day to keep our family life sane and happy. I have no problem with an officer ducking out for an hour to take a re-charger so long as its at a reasonable time. I would say from 3-4 or a slow overnight hour like that is fine. I understand the argument "if they can't hack it maybe they shouldnt have applied for a position that says willing to work overnights weekends and holidays" but lets not take for granted the family sacrafices they have to make either. In the end just remember, these guys are not super heroes. Theyre human beings with a biological clock too. Try staying up all night for a week sometime see how you react.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

David Stearns, Bonsall, CA — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:04:26 GMT

The security of our nation and our nation's assets cannot be left in the hands of bureaus and misfits feeding at the public trough. What a nation does in one thing, it does in all things. A people that can conceive of the TSA ought not be surprised by overweight, sleeping gnomes on watch at our monuments.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Kbritt — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:13:10 GMT

Why not let Blackwater or Halliburton do it, their efficiency and ethics are legendary and I think Crawford,Texas gets a kickback.

We can cutback a little more on healthcare for children and it could be revenue neutral.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Ron Navickas Shelby Township, MI — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:14:28 GMT

Having worked with and for the governmant over the past years makes one question who's running the store. I've witnessed countless violations ignored, swept under the rug. There is the radical fringe that blames the media because they haven't been there and are to stupid to see past their noses. It's harder to enter the Augusta National Golf course than any airport or monument in this country, maybe the security company that handles "The Masters" should handle our nations security.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Chicken Little, Los Angeles, CA — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:25:21 GMT

Are you kidding? I was at the statue of liberty the week before christmas. We had to go through security to get on the ferry and again when we got off the ferry to see the statue. It was more thorough than any airport security screening. We waited in the freezing cold for over 2 hours in line and we were on the very first ferry of the day. It was so secure that I'm not going to visit again because of the waiting.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Mack Goodman, Balltimore Maryland — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:28:20 GMT

Not sure whether this is all true or not, but the Government does have a problem hiring good people. We need to pay people properly and hold those employees accountable for their jobs. Need to be able to get rid of the bad ones and I know our government has problems doing that due to all the silly laws passed to protect the loser type employees.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Joe Crackerjack, Windsor, CA — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:29:13 GMT

Our last trip to DC, we saw a mixed bag. The Mall was in shabby condition with trash and long, un-mowed grass. I was sad to see that. In terms of security, I did not notice anything lacking. In fact I would like to commend one guard at the White House Museum (A Nigerian gentleman I think) who took his job very seriously and made sure that no one broke the rules on his watch. The couple in front of us tried to ignore him and his repeated warnings against disallowed food, drink, etc. They were finally removed from the museum.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Taxpayer Shaking Head, OH — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:31:34 GMT

Doesn't surprise me. I know of one Large governmental agency whose Senior member works his eBay sales site during Government working hours. How do I know? I bought from the guy! I don't know if that's called double-dipping, but it really doesn't matter. He'll never get caught. Did you know that U.S. Government employees can play on the internet & even run businesses while at work? Oh yeah.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Webster, Alexandria, Va. — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:35:26 GMT

Maybe, instead of blindly blaming the media for covering the story, perhaps you could actually *read* the story, and see that the information was in an Inspector General report released to the public by the Department.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Dave N, Centennial, CO — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:40:47 GMT

Several years ago I spent a week visiting the Smithsonian museums in Washington D. C., and was amazed at the inattention of the museum guards.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Ken, Colorado — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:08:00 GMT

As I read through the article and then the comments the responses amazed me! I'm sure that during certain times of the year (holiday's inparticular) the security is good or when high profile activities surround the area. At the same time I'm also confident that many other times security is minimal at best. I do agree with several comments; the companies that are paid millions in multi-year contracts while providing minimum to subpar wages while certainly getting wealthier - name a large corporation that doesn't operate this way. As for terrorist I'm sure they are considered a target, but believe the response our country would give to these monuments would rival NY for what they stand for and are in dense populated and high profile areas. But if you've been in the military at the ground level (no officers please) in multiple area's of the world, make no mistake they are considered. My concern lay's with our society of greed, little to no work ethic,commitment or value meters, and that goes from the top to bottom of our economic classes and is text book material for a failing society. Have's and have not's- I think the issue goes deeper, we expect what we pay for..what's the going rate eight to ten bucks an hour in an economic climate that cost 15 to 16 dollars minimum..we get what we pay for! How about the contract company, profit is up and so are stocks, oh their down you say, nothing changed for the security guards whether stocks are good or bad. They will get laid off if they drop to much to protect the fat at the top though. 36 of the top fortune 500 companies proved that in the early 2000's and corporate scandles that have existed for years prior. I wonder if they gave a 3% raise to keep up with the cost of living...I wonder what on the other hand we are willing to pay to maintain these icons? Everyone I know who owns a business is in it to make profit or would you be different...I wonder? I think if the contract company paid more and security was ever present how many would come out of the wood work to complain about the waste of pay for unneccesary security and why they arent spending the money more wisely or in other area's more at risk or in need, seems like a trap to me. Our nation and it's people really need to get our priorities strait, teach values and make a commitment and realize everything cost money we are not willing to pay! It's stone so give it a value appropriate to itself-I'd hate to lose it too but the nearby tourist and residence deserve a higher value. I can live with out one but not the other. The person who wants to pay what ever it takes is paranoid and the one who say's there is nothing to worry about is ignorant! We need to agree on a medium of value and put forth money and effort that has value and make sacrifices with measured managment! It never works if those tasked with overseeing have no integrity, values, character or are blinded by greed.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Bill G. Washington, DC — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:08:41 GMT

Since 9/11, many thousands of incredibly boring and mundane jobs have been created in the US--many of them are in the security sector. The focus by various government agencies (DHS and the National Park Service among them) on increasing security at national monuments is just one of many costly, ineffective, and poorly conceived strategies implemented by the current administration. I am no actuary, but I would bet that the Washington monument or the Statue of Liberty has about the same chance of experiencing some huge and devastating attack as Mount Rushmore. And Mount Rushmore would be more difficult to recreate. When people fear enough for their safety that the visitor traffic to all of these inadequately secured monuments drops off significantly, then we should address the problem. When in America, you have a much better chance of being killed by a fellow American (at a university or a shopping mall or just driving your car) than becoming a victim of a terrorist at a national monument that you might visit once or twice in your lifetime. I would rather the government reduce the national monument protection even further and take action to reduce the national homicide rate. Put the security forces out there where they will start taking live fire--it's hard to sleep on the job then.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Timothy F. Swarbrick Jr. Newark, De — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:01:39 GMT

I would like to tell you about we veterans from Bravo (Brotherhood Rally of all Veterans Organisations) who freely protected the VV and other Memorials for 25 years before the NPA took away our first amendment rights.
Tim Swarbrick
Commander Bravo Delaware

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Caught a criminal — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:02:12 GMT

Concerned American, Tampa, FL

Hopefully you tracked down where to send your entrance fee too. You already admitted to stealing. Why? "Because the door was unlocked and everyone else was doing it too."

You're part of the problem. A large part.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Tim, Waco TX — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:05:01 GMT

A terrorist would attack the monuments for the very reason that they are a symbol of our freedom. They don't need to blow themselves up to do it.

All they have to do is take out a few of these inept guards and put some explosives in the building. That could be done just about anywhere in the US.

Hey, where I live they pay a bunch of goons to guard an old abandoned Wall Mart store with no sign on it. It's a FEMA building. Those guys have homeland security badges, but they are just security guards. Anyone could take over that building with very little effort, not that it matters. Fema can't even bother to put up a sign to say what the building is for.

I would hate to see what a madman with an M16 could do at a big airport. Somebody like that could probably kill 100 people before they got him. All you need is a good gun, lots of ammo and no fear of dying. Terrorists would send a bunch of guys like that if they all wanted to die. Just think of what someone with a deer rifle could do. Don't expect a bunch of low paid guards to protect you from terrorists.

Still this article was kind of funny. Sleeping guards at our national monuments? Just wait till Jay Leno reads this.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

j penn, California — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:50:59 GMT

Josh, baby! I love you! There are many things that I find scandalous. But the most scandolous thing of all is how these people "in charge" and the media tell EVERYTHING! Why don't they just use some wisdom? It is mind boggling how many times I sit and listen to reports which could very easily carry the headig, "In Case You Haven't Thought of This." What amazes me is that no one ever says, no to any of this craziness of broadcasting eveything that crosses their minds. Unless it is an attempt to lure someone into a trap, (and I'm sure it's not) where is the logic of doing it?

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

fix that!!! Washington DC — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 06:23:02 GMT

These officers make less than 40,000 a year in the DC area. Most of these officers have to work two jobs to make ends meet. The parks are public land we can not tell someone they can not go there because they are homeless or they are dirty. When we ticket these people and they go to federal court the federal prosecutor does not want to spend the time to prosecute someone that is panhandling or loitering. This brings down the morale of officers because they do the job and they will just throw it out anyway. The IG should be at the Department of Veterans Affairs fixing them. investigate why they pay 300 for a toilet seat or why our vets can't seem to get proper post war screening. Why they can't get there compensation done in less than a year. why they are so under staffed they can't see the oif/oaf war vets for months. Why the mental ward is filled with elderly dementia patients, so the war vets that need mental help are turned away because of not enough beds. Find out why they keep downsizing the mental health wards at the hospital and have staff that can't handle the problems that they are having with these younger vets. investigat that!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Herb, SLC UT — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 06:28:09 GMT

Alright, alright. I've read all the last few comments and . . . seems to me that Yep! They're still standing! Honestly, how important are those structures in comparison to the death of thousands of people during the 9/11 attacks? How important are all those structures in comparison to immigration? How important are all those structures in comparison to our economy? Those structures mean nothing if we have no America for them to represent. I don't mean to belittle them, they mean alot to me, but let's not get our sentimentality before practicality. We want to blame Bush for everything!! Can he do ANYTHING RIGHT?!? He's increased border security. He handled one of the greatest catastrophes this country has EVER seen, and all we want to do is sit around Bush Bashing. Perhaps if we would unite behind our President and use COMMON SENSE our country would pull out of this downward spiral that is ever increasing in speed in. Defend the monuments . . . SURE!! But let's worry about maintaining our country FIRST!!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

steve m, crisfield md — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 10:26:46 GMT

the park police chief's remarks are the epitimy of arogance and he shoul be fired. Although his arrogance is pale in comparison to the arrogance and disrepect this administration has had for the people who put them in office. thank god Geo Bush's tenure is almost over. I can't believe our country has survived this man.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Just A Joe — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 10:29:31 GMT

Who feels that they are a TRUE American? Let's pull the people's resources and create a team of volunteers to ensure that our children's children can enjoy these monuments and parks. I've been in the Army since 1996 and I know that if I lived near one of these areas, I would offer my free time to ensure they were safe and clean. How about it America? Let's do it together.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

lew — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 10:49:03 GMT

It seems that all I see anymore are people from other countries doing the work Americans should be doing. What happens if the enemy plants someone in one of these jobs and waits for the right moment.Boom, bye, bye. Lets take our country back.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Sheepdog, Rochester New York — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:18:28 GMT

Oh, nice going, let the whole world know. I think to much freedom of the press should get you put in jail. Just the fact's ma'm just the facts. Lots of reporters I feel are traitors to our country..

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Jemmy Crackcorn — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:25:08 GMT

Jimmy Crackhorn. You are right when it comes to your statement that it's the media we should be afraid of! It is They and NOT the administration who propagate the FEAR!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Steve M, Cincinnati, OH — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:38:33 GMT

It never ceases to amaze me how people blame years and in some cases DECADES of low funding on a single presidential term.
Why aren't our national parks and monuments self-funding for security? Use the federal budget for capital improvements, but they should be able to pay for their operations out of revenues. But it's easier to hide the waste if all of the money is returned to the Treasury and doled out from a central location.
This isn't anything new, it's business as usual for government. There isn't one government program in history that has ever done what it was supposed to, never mind on-time and on-budget because government employees have no incentive to really make a difference.
We demand the least amount of efficiency out of government. With all of the billions spent on computers and other technologies why isn't government RADICALLY smaller? As the Board of Directors for this nation, we ought to insist on a return on our investments. WalMart provides better service than government and at a cheaper price. If a private company had the inept management and overhead of our nation the executives would be investigated by the SEC and charged with fraud. We the people need to force government to remember that they get their funding by the grace of the American taxpayer and not the other way around.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

johnny cleveland ohio — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:46:31 GMT

I was in D.C. this summer with my family and toured the monuments. The Washington Monument was very difficult to get into to. They had x-ray machines, we had to show them our water bottles, remove our backpacks, one person at a time through metal detectors etc... I found the staff friendly and competent.

Of course, at 10 bucks an hour, your going to get people falling asleep on the job. Most likely because they just came from there third shift job.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Ben, JAX, FL — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:52:08 GMT

The USPP Chief should be fired asap!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

washington state — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:53:30 GMT

Well this just goes to show that the Bush Administration does not care about this country at all, what needs to happen is that the American people need to stand up and say enough is enough and take all the Perks away from politicains that doesnt do there job's, what a sad bunch of people we have in office at this time from Bush and Cheney all the way down to the Chief of security.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Pat, Tampa,Fl — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:03:34 GMT

Typical government employees, go to any government facility and you'll see the same.
It's not the lack of funds that cause these problems, it's the way the government hires people.
So many people are denied jobs because of stupid requirements while the really lazy and incompetent ones get jobs that are way over their heads.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Anna~Anna, Green bay, WI 54313 — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:07:56 GMT

Hmmm...

Wonder if there is a candidate who actually WILL bring our troops home, and allow them to complete their tenure stationed IN America?
These monuments.
The parks.
OH, and what about the borders???

I do believe we need them here... moreso than anyplace else on earth.

XOXO
Anne

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Luke F Alexandria, Va — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:11:38 GMT

I say get the old guard out there. Then you'd have disciplined soldiers proud to guard the monuments to the best of their ability. There'd be even be more of a tourist draw with their dress blues and 6ft plus height.

We have so many issues here in the U.S. that a sleeping park police is probably pretty low on the totem poll.

I'll concede that just as there is different quality of security guards for our monuments there is different qualities of investigative reporting. While I'm positive that not every news report can be Watergate with a "Deep Throat" source I don't think this one necessarily requires all the bashing it has gotten. It's really easy to be critical as we sit with in the dark with our computers and hide behind the anonymity that it gives us.

Here's a thought, if the media is so bad and we are so passionate about changing it, why don't we go become a journalist, editors, broadcasters, media tycoons and change it? Or is it just too easy to sit in our lazy boy chairs with our laptops and post zingers in hopes of getting our 5 minutes of fame from a blog?

Does the article promote fear in support of a whacked out regime's attempt to hide their true profiteering motives behind our recent war? Maybe if that's what your looking for.
Does it put a bullseye on pieces of our national history. Maybe, but I seriously doubt Osama or any other extremist leader is now changing tacticts to direct there attention to monuments that wouldn't produce as many casualties or hold as much significance as past targets. However, I don't think that means corrective action shouldn't be taken with NPS security of our national treasures

Does it make you upset that tax dollars are being wasted on substandard staff? Maybe it should.
But maybe just maybe these sleeping, newspaper reading, cell phone chatting security guards who aren't really taking pride in there work or at least taking our heritage for granted are reflections of our own laziness, procrastination, or lack of interest in anything but ourselves. Maybe that is what the spotlight is on and that is what is bringing out the anger at this report.

As I write this from work, where I should be doing my job and not posting on this blog, I'll be the first to admit that change should start with me.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Christian, Tucson, AZ — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:12:44 GMT

If there were oil at these national monuments, then the currenct administration could find reason to send troops there.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

R. Higgs — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:18:44 GMT

Hey, I've got an idea. Let's spend TRILLONS of dollars in a war we shouldn't be in and neglect our national treasures here at home. I'm sure that Abdul Ala whatever there names are appreciate the fact that we are investing time, money, and American lives into rebuilding there homelands, yet we can't even take care of what we have here at home. I was a Bush supporter when he ran both times, but that has all changed now. I regret voting for him the second time around. It's time for a change. We need to take care of Americans FIRST by investing our money wisely here at home, not in rebuilding some camel jockeys homeland just so they can attack us again in the future.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

A security scammed taxpayer, Alexandria, VA — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:32:27 GMT

Living and working in the DC area, I laugh myself at all the "smoke and mirror" security I see. There is not enough room here to mention every thing I see that is beyond a joke.

There is one thing that really irritates me almost every morning though. I travel the GW Parkway to work daily, and between Mount Vernon and Fort Hunt park, there is a Park Police patrol car larked way off the road, hidden in between trees, as cars speed by with no worries. Because of seeing so many speeding by, I can almost promise you the officer is back there sleeping. I keep telling my wife one morning I'm going to stop and sneak back there and get a picture of the officer sleeping or doing what ever they are, other than not patrolling.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Harry, Orlando, Florida — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:53:40 GMT

As a Security officer myself for over 30 years. Many of those job positions are extremely boring, like watching paint dry or grass growing.
Try watching 110 surveillance cameras with nothing going on 'ever'. You'd be nodding off before your shift is over.
At least standing at a entrance gate collecting fees gives your mind something to do. But that is a Management issue if personnel aren't being utilized to collect fees that bring money into the parks to maintain them.
In the old days, a Detex clock was passed out and a set number of keys were positioned around the perimeter and inside buildings. The security officer hit those keys every 5 - 10 minutes. That kept track where the officer was and still maintain a level of security that was satisfying to the number crunchers.
Perhaps they need to return to the old ways to better the Security of our country.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

JK, Atlanta, GA — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:01:11 GMT

The current chief of the Park Police knows better than to say anything of substance - after all, the previous chief of the Park Police was fired when (in answering a direct question from a reporter) she admitted that the Park Police were stretched too thin since 9/11.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Ronald Egolf, Newville, Pa — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:18:39 GMT

Sleeping or not they are paid to do a job and they can do it or go home. All of the monuments, statues and parks need to be protected. If the "Guards" do not like the job, give it up go home and stay there. There are many others who would like to have that job and wil do a diligent
job. It maybe true that our enemies would rather
target occupied buildings but if they destroy one of our national monuments the headlines will still
be the same. America's defense is weak!
DO THE JOB OR GO HOME!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

mark c — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:27:07 GMT

Budgets have been slashed for ALL government agencies from the park police to the National Institute of Health. All to fund a war "on terror" and rebuild a country resents our help and presence. Give yourselves a big pat on the back for reelecting Bush...and convince youselves that what this country needs is another "stay the course" republican.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Phil Anderson Phoenix, Az — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:29:58 GMT

The government's big deal is hiring minorities. Look how it has worked with the post Office . At any given point in time 1/2 of postal employees are either out sick or on disability.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

john bahadurian 2417 oakwood se grand rapids michigan — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:31:35 GMT

how can I get one of those great government jobs with a great benifit package and retirement, Paid to sleep...there are a lot of people who would actually work in these positions

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

John Steinauer, Raleigh, NC — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:33:50 GMT

How much security do we need anyway? This article implies, if nothing else, that we are moving the bar from someone who is available to respond and assist etc. to someone who is vigilent and has an armed swat team on the ready. I think before we write stuff like this some very basic concepts need to be outlined so the standard is set in rational terms. Yeah, people should not sleep on the job - but not every angency is going to get the rambo's and 2 billon is terrorism funding and command centers. We tend to think in absolute terms, but funding limitations are very real. Folks you can not pay for several wars, fix the housing market, prevent disease, etc... and fund all possible priorities to meet some unarticulated standard.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Brooke Webster, Yonkers, NY — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:38:58 GMT

There is no point in blaming the chief of the U.S. Park Police when one of his predecessors Chief Chambers was forced out a few years ago when she had the temerity to publicly state that her force did not have nearly enough officers or equipment to do the job properly. Put the blame where it lies - on the pork barrel politicians who systematically underfund the National Park Service.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

John Carter, Wichita, Kansas — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:48:28 GMT

I see we have the usual partisan responses based on assumptions of motives. It is safe to say that not all terrorists are stupid. Monuments could have high psychological value as a target. The only people this might surprise haven't thought it through. Playing magical thinking games won't cut it. Generalizing from our particular singular experiences won't cut it. Carping at whistle blowers as if they are the cause of the problem won't cut it. And if we have filled the ranks of government bureaucracy with dull, unmotivated, unsupervised dolts, what differentiates us in that from the moral malaise we see in Communist countries? A massive fear trip certainly isn't the answer but a massive snow job or mutual finger pointing game isn't an adequate response either. I know people frustrated past the point of quitting government jobs such as at the FAA where the lackidasical treatment of security was close to criminal and the "get along until retirement" motivation was stronger than patriotism or responsibility to return an honest day's work. Without blaming victims, it is certainly possible to point out, *before* tragedy strikes, that the gates are wide open. The Twin Towers were once standing, too. I hope the Democracy experiement that is our wonderful national inheritance continues to stand. Faith in God has always been a paradoxical twist between "innocent as doves" and "wise as serpents". Not one or the other.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Alan, Alexandria, VA — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:54:31 GMT

Have we forgotten that Teresa Chambers was fired as Chief of the Park Police by the Interior Department in 2004 for going public about insufficient funding for Park Police security responsibilities? Somewhere in this story she deserves vindication.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Pogue Mahone, Kings Point, NY — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:16:47 GMT

The National Parks and Monuments aren't the only places under the not-so-watchful eye of inept security. Visit the U.S. Service Academies not guarded by the military and you will see some woeful examples of watchstanders.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Milly C,Naples,Fl. — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:29:41 GMT

I think Police Officers are more needed in protecting lives than rocks and stones.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Paul Falzone, Mishawaka, Indiana — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:36:48 GMT

Of course Congress and the President have cut funding - the Monuments don't vote and don't have any lobby pouring money into the politicians re-election accounts. Congress is a joke and one day we will all pay a terrible price for their asinine behavior.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Larry, Lincoln De — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:38:51 GMT

I agree with Gary's statement about the monuments being symbols of freedom. I wouldn't want to go to the washington monument and see it tagged by paints or huge chips missing by tourists taking a pieces home for momento's. The park service is a federally funded program through yours and my taxes and i don't care if our finest FBI agents secure them, they are worth the security to our nation.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Larry Acquesta, Cary, NC — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:06:30 GMT

I have known Park Police Chief Dwight Pettiford since his days as a Durham, NC city park police officer. He is an upstanding and dedicated person and officer of the law.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Raleigh Jenson — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:01:38 GMT

Why does no one understand that the media does a service to this country by posting articles like this?

You think terrorists watch NBC to find out what to attack? They already know what to attack: Power plants, big buildings, etc, etc.

Without articles like these, the government would never fix these problems and terrorists would have a easier time attacking us.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Al, Lorton, Virginia — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:20:20 GMT

This is what you get when you have a Government that is for 'The Government" and not "for the people". The way of life for everyone will not change until the people of this country forces a "REAL" change in the way we elect our "so called" leaders.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

jerry Hollingsworth — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:26:12 GMT

What's the difference in all security. Everywhere I go , and I see a lack of security, I ask for a Job. The answer is , we are not hiring and I know for a fact, that they need help.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Lewis "Jake" Morgan, Hot Springs, AR — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:14:05 GMT

Sad, You'd think that after once, we'd learn. Of course, you have to realize that there is a zealous liberal element among the American population that believe the threat from Islamic extremism is a fallacy perpetuated by the Bush administration in some kind of gov't conspiracy to rob us of our freedom. WAKE UP! There are those operating in the world that mean us great harm, and we should be ever vigilant. If you are concerned with the government abusing its citizens, then perhaps it would be wiser for you to familiarize yourself with Clinton and Obama's policies on firearms. The right to keep and bear arms is explicitly and purposefully added to the const. through the Bill of Rights, yet it is ignored in favor of legislation that may boost a candidate popular support. What's next, freedom of religion? The freedom to assemble? Personally, I am much more concerned with this than whether or not the CIA has to get a warrant to listen to intl. phone conversations b/w terror suspects.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

David McBride, St. Helena, CA — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:30:02 GMT

This is an important and useful report. But it is sad that a senior investigative producer does not know the difference between "disinterested" and "uninterested" or "indifferent".

Anyway, thank you for the report!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Sharon, Huntington, WV — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:30:02 GMT

WHEN WILL THE PEOPLE REALIZE WHAT THE NEWSPAPERS ARE DOING. THEY REPORT PART TRUTHS TO GET PEOPLE TO READ THEIR PAPERS. THEN EVERYONE GETS ON THE BANDWAGON WITH "DID YOU HEAR ABOUT...." DON'T BELIEVE ANYTHING UNLESS YOU SEE IT FOR YOURSELF OR EXPERIENCE IT YOURSELF. JUST LIKE WMD, 95% OF THE WORLD WAS CONVINCED THAT IRAQ HAD THEM, THEN WE FIND OUT....THE TRUTH!!!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

windarr Blue Hill, Maine — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:30:28 GMT

I knew it! So many of the liberals on this post once again JBB (just blame Bush)

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Dirk Diggler, Washington DC — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:49:45 GMT

Everyone in law enforcement has known for many years that the U.S. Park Police are a major waste of money. They do nothing that another federal, state or local department doesn't do already! Just abolish them and make them all park rangers and be done with it!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

alice,san antonio, texas — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:00:48 GMT

Ditto!!!! what are we doing reporting such voids/vulnerabilities for everyone to note...also, why the title of the report?! It gives an impression of fault on the staffers there now...likely they are doing the best they can. Let's get real and drive the real issue toward a remedy!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Wurra Bah Bakau the Gambia — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:11:26 GMT

I am a Gambian who is keen in American politics, I have read all the comments posted here, but it is disappointing to say that very few make sense. But frankly America has a president who the world need for a change. The only president who can use the power of America and stop the radicals hiding under the name of Lslam. Some Americans are saying Bush send your troops to Iraq because of oil? Remember that America is the economic power house of the world and consume the highest portion in what is produce. America have 3 role that it owe to the world at large. 1. America is the world police 2. America is the world commander and 3. America is our protector against injustices in all it forms. When America get that oil from Iraq even a single penny is going into Mr. Bush's pocket but will go back into the America economic. Please stop being FOOLS and give your government under the wise leadership of George Walker Bush the necessary support it deserve. I rest my case. GOD BLESS AMERICA. Any interested person can reach me on wurrabah@yahoo.com for a debate on current issues and what is America's role in the world today

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

D. Mers, Tucson, Az — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:16:44 GMT

People stop complaining about giving the terrorists "secret" info about our landmarks. You act like they don't know this already.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Chad, Noneya, Business — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:26:47 GMT

Hello people!!! National Parks arent drilled for oil or war zones!! Thats the reason they are ignored by our government

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

JW, Seattle, Washington — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:44:14 GMT

I work as a security guard at a mall and I can tell you that the vast majority of any security is smoke and mirrors. The intent is not to actually make people safer. The intent is to make people *feel* safer. We just added a new "state-of-the-art" camera system, and it is woefully inadequate. Most of our security guards are horrible, because anyone that's halfway competant won't take the $9 an hour and no benefits that we offer.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Wesley, Atlanta, GA — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:56:08 GMT

Come on America, WAKE UP! As a consultant I have had the privilege to work in many places including the Pentagon, the Department of Labor, NSA, Social Security, a major Utility, and a major financial institution.

Show me someone at a job and I'll show you someone who has, at some point in their life, dozed off at work. It’s a fact of life. Everyone does it, and for some people to jump up on a pedestal and demand action is BEYOND hypocritical.

My suggestion is to stop all this finger pointing!! Step back, take a DEEP Breath, and start performing your own job to the Best of your ability! Until you are Perfect yourself, stop looking around and pointing out everyone else’s flaws.. Please?

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Jay, Somerset, PA — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:05:39 GMT

A lot of good comments above! One thing I do agree as do most GI's serving abroad...They hate the media because they only try to report negaative things and never the good things...Why? because they want to sell their news and if there isn't any, they take bit of news and "massage it into something that will sell. The truth, if good, is not the news they want to print! The media, I think, is responsible for giving aid and comfort to our enemies.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

t.piver,beachwood nj — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:16:55 GMT

homeland security? what a joke. why does the gov.
lie so much? im sick of stuff like this! the world must have a good laugh,we are a joke.
IS IT AMERICA ANYMORE!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

DSOTM, State College, PA — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:25:34 GMT

Bush and the Republicans would like to privatize the national parks so that someday you would be visiting the Verizon Grand Canyon or Google Statue of Liberty. Corporate sponsorship, and corporate responsibility for maintenance and security. What a shame for the National Park syatem to fall so low. It is the legacy of the LAST great Republican president, Theodore Roosevelt.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Scott Merrithew,Tamworth NH — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:31:17 GMT

One thing this report does by being made public is bring it to the attention of terrorists !!!!If a group wants to bring attention to themselves then an explosion in one of these monuments full of visitors would catch some attention!!We should be protecting these places BEFORE this happens!!!!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

John Brown, Harpers Ferry WV — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:17:39 GMT

If we hired every single American as a security guard, there still wouldn't be enough of us to guard every potential target. We have nothing to fear but fear itself - a fact our current administration has used to its' great benefit... oh wait, there's also ignorance... plenty of that fear-causing commodity around as well

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Tax Dollars at work, Indiana — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:24:37 GMT

go http://www.pgparks.com/info/police.html to see what they make at entry level, it is over $44k. Not bad for sleeping

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

j. johnson, fairhope, al — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:44:30 GMT

free country??? what a joke.it's broke, and can't be fixed. most problems have simple answers. the media keeps it going --- so they can keep talking.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

J Carden, VA — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:17:47 GMT

I don't sleep on my job - EVER. If I did I would be fired. Wesley, you sound like a government insider. I bet you have a good cushy government job, get your steady supply of cost of living raises, retirement, blah blah. Out in the real world people have to work and produce to keep a good job and even then there are no guarantee's. When this government finally goes belly up and bankrupt all you people with government jobs are going to be a in a world of pain. Out here, sleeping on the jobs gets you fired, in the US government it gets you promoted. You think its just the Park Service, try the USPS, Immigration, DOT, on and on. The US gov't is the worlds largest and most expensive Socialist entity. Where do I sign up??!!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Elkanah Babcock, Phoenix, Arizona — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:24:58 GMT

I work in the Grand Canyon on the Colorado river as a guide.
The amount of territory, the infrastructure and people management the park service and police are responsable for is almost unimaginable. Their funding remains the same or is cut back annually while their duties multiply.
We should be thankful that so many of them do their jobs for the love of it for they are being taken advantage of and overworked by our federal leaders who seem more concerned with their personal dynasties.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

john s, westerville, ohio — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:42:27 GMT

It would not matter if the sleeping "protectors" of our national monuments were fired for not performing their tasks-under the present administration they would probably be given a consulting position similar to the former head of FEMA who was sleeping at the helm during the DISASTER called Hurricane Katrina and was given a consulting job with the primary task of finding out what went wrong during Hurricane Katrina and kept his same salary of 270k a year-incompetence does not go hand in hand with low pay.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

John, Blue Ridge, Georgia — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:43:00 GMT

I just love those who say the problem is the amount they are paid, first of all no one forced them to take the job, and if you take a job you should do your best at it.Second if the wage is so low then dont take the job and explain the reason to the persons doing the hiring, naybe then they will up the pay to get people to take those jobs...second...give it time...ilegals will take them and do it for less.....I dont care what you do for work but if you take a job you should give it 100%. Thats the problem today with way to many workers, they dont want to work for their paycheck, I see this is many feilds with wages being low to wages being high, some people are just plain lazy and want a free ride.....Elect Ron Paul...No Free Rides...

One last thing....if you work hard you get promoted and make more money, you want to talk underpaid people.....Just look at the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistand......they make less than park police and take a huge chance at getting killed every day they are there....Got a job to do...do it well

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Angry American Mom — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:56:28 GMT

Just a Joe has it right. What about all of those people who complain about the dirty parks and so-called public areas pitching in enough to put up even their own trash, let alone someone elses.
When you go for your evening walk would it hurt to take a bag along to pick up trash along the way?? If you see something that needs to be fixed at home do you just walk away from it? That is what is happening to this nation. No one wants to take responsibility for anything. Why not make a difference one step at a time - no matter what you do.
Only those people who bothered to vote have a right to bad mouth anyone. If you didn't vote then you are part of the problem.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

lin chow — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:19:23 GMT

Well just 1 thing to say, how do illegal iliens file taxes and claim up to ten dependents during the year. and when they file taxes of course claim what they really have, and get 3-5k back. theirs gives them a tax id number,don't you have to be legal to file taxes. veryone should be aware that is were most of the money is going to. but know one will admit it and i have all the proof

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Roger Chad, Burnham, Maine — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 01:18:35 GMT

This is just another example of your tax dollar hard at work. The government just manufactures jobs for their pet projects. Pork barrel spending on every bill going. The biggest snoozers are the american taxpayer. People need to demand more accountability from the GRAND ESTABLISHMENT that has been created in just about every form of federal and state government. I am so sick and tired of listening to the cryers about under funding. If you just got rid of the DEAD WOOD hanging around the people left that actually wanted to work could get a respectable wage. Of coarse if they actually worked for themselves where if you do not work you do not eat, they would probably realize how good their job really is. Most of those chumps have to work for the government because no one else would hire them. Lets gust get to some real problems and some real answers.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Mike Andreasen, Daphne, Al — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 01:39:37 GMT

Did anybody ask what time it was when the officer was sleeping in his car? Maybe it was his lunch break.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Jonny Beenthere, Sacramento, Ca — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 01:43:23 GMT

Promote these people, sound like dedicated
people, and typical of those that work for
the government, Ho Hum!!!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Proud Washingtonian, Washington, DC — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 01:59:22 GMT

Park police are far from "no-brain" jobs as Linda in Omaha states. I do however agree that they are underpaid. Lastly, these officers are required to be more literate than our friend Linda. "They jobs are low paid"?? Get hooked on phonics before having the guts to call someone elses' job "no-brain". Just a suggestion...

You can't expect armed military type of personnel at these locations. America can't afford it. They jobs are low paid, and primarily a no-brain job.
Linda, omaha

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

V. Standish, Billings, Montana — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 02:13:08 GMT

A QUOTE:
A Park Police spokesman adds: "We are proud of the men and women of the U. S. Park Police, and their tradition of protecting our visitors and our National treasurers."
Did he mean what he said? or was he speaking of National Treasures?

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

RUBERT MERRITT — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 02:45:08 GMT

WELL THE CHIEF SAID THE MONUMENTS ARE STILL STANDING, SO I GUESS HE IS SAYING LET'S WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE BLOWS THEM UP, AN THEN WE WILL DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT THE ONE'S THAT ARE LEFT STANDING, IF ANY!!!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Wilson Gittleman, MD, Long Beach, CA — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 06:59:33 GMT

No one seems to comment on the loud talking between the 'guards' at the National Museum.Also (I listened) it was about vacations, pay, attitudes of superiors.
Perhaps the feeling they are 'government employees' gives them a security to do everything to keep one from contemplating the art works.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

M Anthony, clifton forge, VA — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 13:39:45 GMT

I can not disagree with the inadequate protection. I disagree with the publicity further opening the sites as an easy target. I take offense to noting the trash as an example of less funding. Why are we so disgusting that we can not find the trash can. It was so refreshing to be able to travel to countries where they have actual pride and don't throw items on the ground. Maybe if we did not have to spend resources cleaning up there would be more for the important things.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

MikeInIndy — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:59:31 GMT

For those complaining that about this story being an example of journalists making things up ...

Did you notice who published the report (hint: it's in the second pararaph)?

It is not treasonous to state that there's a problem.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Brock, Boise Idaho — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:59:27 GMT

I love gov't jobs, they are WAY overpaid and a drooling troglodite could be competente to perform them. So I need no skills and apparently my only needed desire is not to protect my nations boutiful history, its to get some zzz's. Cool, I'm packing my lunch and bringing my Teddy with me to clock in. And SWEET - I'll make 20-30$ and hour and have job saftey net so I cannot be fired for incompetence or even snoring.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

worku, Washington DC — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 03:57:43 GMT

HUH, amezing those arrogant park police officers cann't able to protect the MONAMENT. We know they don't have a time to do their job, bcz they are busy by writing tikets for taxi. Do the job you are hired for.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Steve, MO. — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 04:40:35 GMT

Just another day in America. They write it, we read it and can't believe they wrote it. Our media pushes fear like Hershey's at Halloween. Might I recommend a grain of salt and some good old fashioned common sense.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Gillian Anderson, Portland, Oregon — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 05:12:42 GMT

They goverment needs to be more strict on what employees can have during their work hours. They too should also be scanned for anything dangerous.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Tom Morris, Prospect Park, Pa. — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 05:47:15 GMT

As a soldier's dad I have to say that this is just the type of thing that makes it easier for would be terrorists. Sure I know they can easily find this info, but let's stop making it easier on them. I guess now that our soldiers and marines are making head way, Iraq is now a non-story, so let's just move on to irresponsible journalism!

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

Brad Norton, New York, NY — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:21:22 GMT

Hey, a night shift is boring although they should be doin the job, but the media pushes to much with ignorance. Being a cop is not the big deal but they are always there when you need them, so I guess, your wrong man.

Sleeping officers at U.S. monuments

josmur from baltimore Maryland — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 01:30:03 GMT

Very true, "are you kidding me" of Kentucky , but do you know what is in these icons? American citizens. Do you call 9/11 mass vandalism?