Investigative Reporter Posts Video Of Walking Around Unnoticed At Election Storage Warehouse For Several Minutes
A contractor’s laptop and several encrypted USB devices were stolen from Philadelphia’s election warehouse in the East Falls neighborhood last week. Police are investigating, and election officials assure voters that voting integrity is in no way compromised by the theft. New machines implemented earlier this year all include a paper trail as an added security measure.
But a Thursday morning visit to the warehouse where the machines are stored revealed lax security measures.
A reporter was able to walk into the building and roam around unattended for several minutes before being asked to leave. He strolled past hundreds of voting machines, various boxes, and other unidentified equipment without seeing other people.
He posted a video on social media where he’s seen walking around that same warehouse without being noticed:
A laptop and USB devices were stolen sometime this week from the Philadelphia’s elections storage warehouse.
I went over this morning to check out the security situation. I was able to walk right into the voting machine storage unit, alone, for several minutes.
Video below:
A laptop and USB devices were stolen sometime this week from the Philadelphia’s elections storage warehouse.
I went over this morning to check out the security situation. I was able to walk right into the voting machine storage unit, alone, for several minutes. pic.twitter.com/N0SpMMKP6T
— Max M. Marin (@MaxMMarin) October 1, 2020
He explained the whole situation:
City Commissioners told me this morning the stolen devices have been disabled & they do not compromise the integrity of the Nov. election.
When this video ends, I ran into an staffer who told me press can’t be in the building. I told him the door was open & I announced my name.
— Max M. Marin (@MaxMMarin) October 1, 2020
This is the outside of the storage warehouse where the theft took place. I didn’t see any security cameras outside or in the building. pic.twitter.com/jDiBFICZjy
— Max M. Marin (@MaxMMarin) October 1, 2020
The staffer wouldn’t answer my questions about security. On the phone, Deputy City Nick Custodio told me that a security guard should be stationed there at all times now. He was not for some reason. I did see a security walking to the other end of the property when I pulled up.
— Max M. Marin (@MaxMMarin) October 1, 2020
There’s a man sitting in the door now, more staffers coming in and out of the building. I likely just walked in at a moment where no one is around, but the ease of access was still alarming to me. pic.twitter.com/YvZZhNiFoU
— Max M. Marin (@MaxMMarin) October 1, 2020
This is no change from what we found last November. Open door, walk right in, no one around. And not just at that warehouse. We documented much more https://t.co/72oNKA4mlR and have seen more since. They did nothing about it, evidently.
— Protect Our Vote Philly (@POVPhilly) October 1, 2020
Good reporting. The public has a right to know that anyone off the street can access a warehouse full of voting machines just before a major election. And this was after reports of thefts of computer equipment.
This comes on the heels of the Trump campaign threatening to sue over being denied access into the newly opened satellite election offices in Philadelphia. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman fired back against those allegations.
“They are not entitled to be at these satellite locations. Poll watchers are a very specific entity that are determined a few days before election days, and it’s in specific predetermined polling locations,” Fetterman said.
Trump campaign attorneys gave the city until 5 p.m. on Wednesday to address their concerns but there is no update from either side on whether a legal battle has officially begun in court.
Election officials say all of the satellite election centers have a security presence. Meanwhile, they are still looking for poll workers for Election Day. Officials say they have 6,000 so far but need at least 8,000 to make sure everything flows smoothly.
Alex D is a conservative journalist, who covers all issues of importance for conservatives. He writes for Conservative US, Red State Nation, Defiant America, and Supreme Insider. He brings attention and insight from what happens in the White House to the streets of American towns, because it all has an impact on our future, and the country left for our children. Exposing the truth is his ultimate goal, mixed with wit where it’s appropriate, and feels that journalism shouldn’t be censored. Join him & let’s spread the good word!
