Major US monuments are vulnerable to terrorist attacks because the US Park Police is disorganised, under-staffed and ill-equipped, the Washington Post reported Monday, citing a government audit.
The Park Police, a branch of the Interior Department, is in charge of securing landmarks like the Statue of Liberty in New York and the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.
The 40-page report from the Department's inspector general's office includes the photograph of what is apparently an officer sleeping in a patrol car at the Jefferson Memorial in the US capital, and describes another officer filling out a crossword puzzle, the Post reported.
The Park Police "has failed to adequately perform either mission, which has resulted in deficient security at national icons and monuments and an inability to effectively conduct police operations," the Post reported, citing a copy of the report to be made public Monday. The report was based on more than 100 interviews and surveillance the inspectors carried out in 2007, the Post said.
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