Fox News reported that the U.S. Secret Service apologized to a Massachusetts salon owner following an unapproved entry into her establishment.
On the day of a scheduled fundraiser for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Secret Service entered Alicia Powers' salon in Massachusetts to use the bathroom. They reportedly covered security cameras with duct tape and picked the lock to gain entry.
Powers indicated that she had been prepared to close the salon for the event but was not informed that the Secret Service would be entering her property in this manner.
Powers expressed her frustration over the incident, noting that for approximately two hours, various people were in and out of her salon while alarms were going off. Ring camera footage captured an agent taping over the security camera and picking up the locked door. When they finally left, they did not remove the tape and left the building unlocked.
The Secret Service acknowledged the incident and subsequently apologized to Powers. A spokesperson for the Secret Service emphasized the importance of maintaining positive relationships with business partners and affirmed that the agents' actions were against standard protocol.
On the day of the incident, Powers was informed by an EMS worker that the Secret Service agent in charge had directed people to use her salon's bathroom. However, the Secret Service later claimed that their agents would not have used the salon without obtaining permission first. Powers found this assertion hard to believe given the sequence of events.
Brian Smith, the building landlord, confirmed that neither he nor any authorized individual had granted the agents permission to enter the salon. He reiterated that the Secret Service had no authority to use the premises, reinforcing Powers’ complaints.
Powers articulated her grievances, stating that she would have been more than willing to accommodate the needs of visiting officials had they asked for permission. “But they didn’t even have the audacity to ask. They just helped themselves,” Powers remarked.
The Secret Service took responsibility for the misconduct. A representative from the Secret Service's Boston office admitted that taping the cameras and entering without consent were entirely inappropriate actions. Powers was told directly that everything that transpired was "very wrong."
Melissa McKenzie, a spokeswoman for the Secret Service, reiterated the agency’s commitment to working collaboratively with business owners. She assured that the Secret Service had communicated directly with Powers after the incident, acknowledging the breach and apologizing for the inconvenience and concerns it caused.
Throughout the ordeal, Powers maintained that her concerns were not about the nature of the necessary security measures but rather about the lack of communication and the disregard for her property. She emphasized that she would have willingly cooperated had she been properly informed and asked for permission first.
Powers closed the salon on Saturday due to the commotion caused by the Secret Service's unannounced presence. She reflected on how chaotic the situation felt for her and her team, further exacerbating her frustration and disappointment with how the agents handled the situation.
In summary, Alicia Powers' Massachusetts salon was entered by the Secret Service without permission ahead of a fundraiser for Vice President Kamala Harris. Agents taped over security cameras, picked the lock, used the bathroom for two hours, and left the building unsecured. The Secret Service acknowledged their lapse and apologized to Powers, who lamented the lack of communication and respect for her property rights.
