Extra Security Measures Added After White House Breach

WASHINGTON (WJZ) -- Stepping up security. As new information is released about the Iraq war veteran who was able to jump the White House fence, an extra layer of security was added to the perimeter.

Jessica Kartalija has more.

The Secret Service has put up another White House fence line. The added protection is designed to keep pedestrians, tourists and would-be fence jumpers off the White House lawn and out of the White House.

It comes after 42-year-old Army veteran Omar Gonzalez not only made it over the fence but through the front door of the White House. Federal agents say he was carrying a pocket knife.

In Virginia, police arrested him in July for evading arrest and found a sawed off shotgun, sniper rifle and a map of DC with the White House circled.

Last month, the Secret Service stopped but did not arrest Gonzalez outside the White House after discovering a hatchet on his belt.

Moments after President Obama and his daughters departed for Camp David on Friday, Gonzalez scaled the eight-foot fence and sprinted for the north portico. Gonzalez entered the doors before being tackled.

Estranged family members say Gonzalez suffers from post traumatic stress disorder.

Andrew, a neighbor in Copperas Cove, Texas, said this:

"He thought he'd seen somebody watching them," he said. "He was always hunkered up in his bedroom looking around, making sure nobody was outside."

A former director of the Secret Service said many questions remain.

"They had the canine unit. Why wasn't the canine released? Why wasn't the door locked?" said Ralph Basham. "That's a security failure. No question about it."

The second fence added Tuesday will keep people another 12 feet away from the White House fence.

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