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Following a startling breach of protocol, the U.S. Secret Service has issued an apology to a Massachusetts salon owner after agents allegedly broke into her business to use the bathroom during a nearby fundraiser for Vice President Kamala Harris. The incident, which occurred on July 27, 2024, has raised serious questions about the agency's conduct and respect for private property.
Alicia Powers, owner of Four One Three Salon in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, reported that Secret Service agents covered her security camera with tape before picking the lock to gain entry. Over the next two hours, multiple individuals, including some in law enforcement attire, used her facilities without permission.
"There were several people in and out for about an hour and a half — just using my bathroom, the alarms going off, using my counter, with no permission," Powers told Business Insider. She added that the building was left unlocked after the unauthorized use.
The incident took place during Vice President Harris' first major in-person fundraiser since becoming the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. The event was held at the nearby Colonial Theatre, prompting heightened security measures in the area.
Brian Smith, the building's landlord, confirmed that neither he nor any other authorized person had given permission for the Secret Service to enter or use the property. "They had no permission to go in there whatsoever," Smith stated.
Following media inquiries, Secret Service spokesperson Melissa McKenzie issued a statement: "The Secret Service has since communicated with the affected business owner. We hold these relationships in the highest regard and our personnel would not enter, or instruct our partners to enter, a business without the owner's permission."
Powers reported that the head of the Secret Service's Boston field office personally called to apologize, acknowledging that the agents' actions were "very wrong" and violated standard procedures.
This incident comes at a particularly sensitive time for the Secret Service, which is already under intense scrutiny following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on July 13, 2024. The agency's failure to prevent that attack led to the resignation of then-Director Kimberly Cheatle.
The unauthorized entry has sparked outrage on social media, with many calling for accountability and stricter oversight of law enforcement agencies. Some critics have even characterized the incident as a violation of constitutional rights.
As investigations continue, this event serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between security needs and respect for private property rights. It also underscores the importance of clear communication and proper protocols in high-stakes security operations.
