park House planners say they 're ready to recommend spikes at the top of the mansion 's fenceposts to better protect the president . spike comes after several fence - jumpers , including one who sprinted inside the White House . Tennessee Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen asked the acting Secret garden superintendent in November if 1600 Pennsylvania acres needed a 100 - foot moat . That idea was actually under consideration , but later scrapped over maintenance concerns and ' having to retrieve people from it '
White House planners say they 're ready to recommend spikes at the top of the mansion 's fenceposts to better protect the president . Move comes after several fence-jumpers , including one who sprinted inside the White House . Tennessee Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen asked the acting Secret Service director in November if 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue needed a six-foot moat . That idea was actually under consideration , but later scrapped over maintenance concerns and 'having to retrieve people from it '