Person carrying suspicious package arrested after climbing White House fence

A person carrying a suspicious package scaled a White House fence Sunday night, but was quickly apprehended.

The person climbed the fence on the south side of the White House complex about 10:25 p.m., said Brian Leary with the United States Secret Service.

The individual is in custody and charges are pending, Leary said. The person’s name or gender wasn’t released.

The package was being examined and later deemed to be harmless, a Secret Service source told CNN.

Last week, a U.S. official told CNN that temporary steel spikes may be added to the tips of the White House perimeter fence to help deter jumpers.

If done, this will be a temporary measure to protect the grounds until a new permanent one is constructed.

The official said that the proposal is not in place yet.

The Secret Service has come under heavy criticism after two incidents compromised the security of the grounds.

On March 4, two senior Secret Service agents who were reportedly intoxicated allegedly drove their car into a White House barrier. Last September, a man jumped the White House fence and made it to an unlocked door on the grounds.

Asked about the White House fence jumper, House Oversight Committee chairman Jason Chaffetz told CNN, “Prevention and swift apprehension is the goal. I appreciate those who dealt with the situation, but I want to learn more.”