Graceland Gates Damaged

[Brian Quinn]

Just read a report on the EPE Message Board that about 2.30 a.m. yesterday morning a black SUV drove through the Graceland Gates, damaging them, drove up to the mansion before abandoning the vehicle.

I cannot find a report on any of the news agencies or Google but a fan states she has photographs of the damaged gates.

Keep your eyes peeled. I do not believe this to be an April Fools stunt.

Brian (n)

[vivaelvis]

Sad to hear this but it's just another day in the great city of Memphis. Sadly the once great historical town that it was is deteriorating before our eyes. I'm really starting to believe that no matter how much money EPE and the city invest into that part of town it won't make any difference. Crime is crime and it's growing rapidly in and around the world famous landmark. Memphis was recently ranked by Forbes as the 3rd worst city in America behind Detoit and I believe Baltimore.

[KPM]

This just does not sound kosher??? The car ran up to the Mansion and then was abandoned-where did the driver go, no one from security saw this car or the man until after the man had somehow made a quick getaway toward one of the high fences? This could be a joke. I also ran an internet check and could find nothing on this. Also this is the type of thing that makes news and heard nothing on local or national news since last night.

But crime is crime all over.... I was having car repairs today in a mini mall with 15 stores, heavy Friday traffic (first of the month Friday before Easter traffic) and in bright sunshine, broad daylight a car was crowbarred open, the expensive stereo system and speakers stolen and a woman waiting in her car saw the guys , she got out and went into the shop told the manager someone was breaking into a car on the farside of the building and he ran out to see a Silver 2002-2004 Cavaliar with a broken tailight speeding away from the shop and into the parking lot-this happened in about 5 minutes from the time the woman noticed them....they had the trunk popped, stereo and speakers out and making their getaway in about 5 minutes!! This was in a small midwestern town near St. Louis. St Louis was number 2 worst crime rate in the US in 2009 whereas Memphis was ranked 10.
Crime may be worse in other areas-but it is all over the country.

[vivaelvis]

I hate to say this but if Sillerman and the city don't get this "redevelopment" underway soon that something terrible is going to happen at or to Graceland that we fans won't be able to handle. It also sounds like EPE is trying to cover this story up to save from scaring off tourism. It wouldn't be the first time they've done that.

[TCBDavid]

would make sense to completely pedestrianize the roads around it...although i have never been so i dont know how practical this wold be

[Mr.TCB]

I,ve been to Graceland, and two main roads with shops, hotels, restaurants, drug stores, and stuff like that is all up and down them so I'm not sure it would be the most practicle thing, but it would be very nice though.

[Mr.TCB]

I wonder if someone got the gates mixed up with this sight on Elvis Presley Blvd. A car hit it and damaged the sign.
45371

[Awickedreigndrop]

Some people posted pictures of it on the Elvis Insiders forum. It's not as bad as I thought it would be but it is bad enough. It's sad

[Brian Quinn]

The story is, unfortunately, true. There are photographs posted now of the damaged gate and brickwork on the Elvis Insiders Forum. Apparently it took the police some 30 minutes to get to the scene by which time the vehicle and occupant(s) had fled. Very strange that this has not made the major news agencies.

I have e-mailed the Memphis Police Department registering my disapproval of the response time to this incident.

[Tommy]

Why aren't there more privately hired guards at Graceland, I hope nothing really dangerous happens there, something major would be awful. You would think guards would be partrolling the grounds at all times.

[danny]

Could someone post the pictures?

[vivaelvis]

Considering that there's pix of the damaged gates on the insiders and that a police report was filed but no mention from the Memphis news media proves that there's a secret coverup going on by EPE. Shame on them.(n) But like I said yesterday this isn't the first time it's happened either.

[monk37]

how can there be a cover up if the word is out there?

what gets covered as news depends on what else is going on that day - this is the kind of item that gets press on a slow news day

it's just not really earth shattering - no one was hurt, nothing was stolen, no sex or drugs involved - it's just property damage

[Brian Quinn]

The only way I can see a cover up is if the damage was racially motivated or the driver worked at Graceland or had political ties. I still find it amazing that EPE have not made any comment one way or the other.

Brian :supriced:

[Jungleroom76]

would make sense to completely pedestrianize the roads around it...although i have never been so i dont know how practical this wold be

Unfortunately, considering EP Blvd. is a major highway through that section of Memphis, I would imagine it would be a HUGE cost to re-route the highway around the Graceland complex. You are right though, that pedestrianizing the portion of EP Blvd. in front of Graceland would certainly make a lot of sense if it could be done. :hmm:

TCB!
Mike

[Jungleroom76]

Apparently it took the police some 30 minutes to get to the scene by which time the vehicle and occupant(s) had fled.

30 MINUTES??? :doh:

Good thing there were no people hurt in this incident if it takes emergency personnel THAT long to respond to an accident... (n)

TCB!
Mike

[Jungleroom76]

Why aren't there more privately hired guards at Graceland, I hope nothing really dangerous happens there, something major would be awful. You would think guards would be partrolling the grounds at all times.

I was always under the impression that there WERE guards patroling the Graceland grounds every night... :hmm:

TCB!
Mike

[Jungleroom76]

I hate to say this but if Sillerman and the city don't get this "redevelopment" underway soon that something terrible is going to happen at or to Graceland that we fans won't be able to handle. It also sounds like EPE is trying to cover this story up to save from scaring off tourism. It wouldn't be the first time they've done that.

Sadly, with the news reports that Sillerman's company may be selling their interest in Elvis, I have to guess that this whole project is probably going to be on the backburner for quite a while, IF it ever happens at all. (n)

TCB!
Mike

[May]

30 MINUTES??? :doh:

Good thing there were no people hurt in this incident if it takes emergency personnel THAT long to respond to an accident... (n)

TCB!
Mike

Good point!!!!!!:supriced:

[May]

Sadly, with the news reports that Sillerman's company may be selling their interest in Elvis, . (n)

TCB!
Mike

Do we know why??(n)

[Polk-Salad-Annie]

Here are some picture of the gates
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f288/Moonkid53/Sandi%20P/Gracelandgate4-2-10.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/peggyj/DSCN0039.jpg

You can see a small hole in the gate to the right of where the brick was chipped

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/peggyj/Gate/DSCN0035.jpg

Some one on The Elvis Inders Forum posted this comment:

"You can see how the gate is dragging on the ground.
This is the side they ran into getting in and drove up the hill on the left side of drive.
They drove down on the right side and rammed the other gate and it did tear a a hole in mesh and mess up the brick wall.
It did bend the metal bar that goes to bar that opens the gates too.
They had the bars that open on the side of wall.
They sit in front of Graceland for a few minutes, we were told, then drove back down, as I said before.
Then drove back down on right side of drive.
We were told they let window down a little and said something to guard, then drove down.
The gates looked pretty bad to me,both were dragging toward the ground in front and bent."

[Tommy]

I was always under the impression that there WERE guards patroling the Graceland grounds every night... :hmm:

TCB!
Mike

Yes, but where were they this night. :blush::blink::blink: :doh:

[Jungleroom76]

Do we know why??(n)

No...according to the press releases, the company would not elaborate on the potential sale of the company. :hmm:

It'll be interesting to see what happens, that's for sure. But I would imagine this puts any plans for the Graceland expansion project on hold indefinitely. (n)

TCB!
Mike

[Jungleroom76]

Yes, but where were they this night. :blush::blink::blink: :doh:

"That's a right good question friend" :king: ;)

TCB!
Mike

[Tommy]

"That's a right good question friend" :king: ;)

TCB!
Mike

Lisa needs to do better than this with Graceland. :doh:

[monk37]

again, if you are the police dispatcher and you get two calls and one is a robbery in progress and the other is car rams graceland gates

you send the first available units to the robbery

no one was in danger at Graceland of injury

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

I suppose there are other priorities that take place that the police would be slow to react, however this is a worrying precedent that sets alarm bells ringing. If the police are this slow to respond this sends out a signal to would be criminals that Graceland is a potential target that isn't seen as a priority.

[Tommy]

I suppose there are other priorities that take place that the police would be slow to react, however this is a worrying precedent that sets alarm bells ringing. If the police are this slow to respond this sends out a signal to would be criminals that Graceland is a potential target that isn't seen as a priority.

Makes you worry about Graceland and something really awaful happening there.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

It's a possibility Tommy, lets hope they learn from this incident!

[Tommy]

It's a possibility Tommy, lets hope they learn from this incident!

I pray so. (y)

[jean francois]

What kind of world we are, I find it sad, but I hope that will pay for it
a chance that person has been injured

[Brian Quinn]

The following prediction was made by Joseph Tittel, Spiritual Medium/Clairvoyant etc in February of this year:

"Graceland Tennessee- Some type of headlines come forth about Graceland. I kept seeing the gates of Graceland. This could be due to a robbery or theft and maybe even with rumors that Graceland will close or be sold. This will not happen."

Personally I do not believe in such things but posted this prediction as it seemed so relevant.


Brian :supriced:

[monk37]

it's okay, you still don't have to believe them - that's pretty vague as predictions go

well, given that this is a big anniversary year, that there would be Elvis or Graceland news isn't surprising or difficult to expect

the musical gates are recognizable symbols of Graceland, and nothing in his quote suggests that they will be damaged or anything, just that he "saw" them

the wall at Graceland has previously been struck by a vehicle and it made the cnn news. it's a busy street


how to be a psychic in 10 easy lessons: http://www.skeptic.com/downloads/10_Easy_Psychic_Lessons.pdf

[chloe13]

why isn't this news? If any other entertainer had someone damage to their home it would have been front page news. Could you imagine if someone did anything to Netherland (even though it's not MJ house anymore). I was just in Memphis for Elvis' birthday and that's all that is keeping Memphis going, Elvis and Beale Street. So in death he still is taking care of Memphis ,why aren't they doing the same?

[Tommy]

From ElvisNews.com......"At around 2.30 a.m. on Friday morning a black SUV drove through the Graceland Gates, in Memphis, Tennessee,damaging them. The occupant(s) then drove up to the mansion, shouted something to a famale Security Guard (the only guard on duty) and then drove off. The guard was so frightened she has not returned to work. All we know at this point, is that the driver was a black man. Hopefully the tag number was on the cameras".

Can you believe ONLY ONE GUARD........that's not good.

[TinyHands]

Here are some picture of the gates
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f288/Moonkid53/Sandi%20P/Gracelandgate4-2-10.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/peggyj/DSCN0039.jpg

You can see a small hole in the gate to the right of where the brick was chipped

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/peggyj/Gate/DSCN0035.jpg

Some one on The Elvis Inders Forum posted this comment:

"You can see how the gate is dragging on the ground.
This is the side they ran into getting in and drove up the hill on the left side of drive.
They drove down on the right side and rammed the other gate and it did tear a a hole in mesh and mess up the brick wall.
It did bend the metal bar that goes to bar that opens the gates too.
They had the bars that open on the side of wall.
They sit in front of Graceland for a few minutes, we were told, then drove back down, as I said before.
Then drove back down on right side of drive.
We were told they let window down a little and said something to guard, then drove down.
The gates looked pretty bad to me,both were dragging toward the ground in front and bent."

Hello I'm new here but have a question directly.
Does you know what the man (who drove in the Graceland Gate ) shouted to the security guard ?

[catmommeg]

The gates have now been removed and have been sent out for repair. The SUV did make it part way up the driveway.
That's all the info I have at this point.

[TotallyInsane]

Maybe Lisa was in town and having a bad night and decided to do what her daddy did one time and crash the gates!!

[Lisarose]

Fenceline looks weird without the musical gates.

[Tony Trout]

Fenceline looks weird without the musical gates.

Yeah, it does but at least they're being repaired, thank God.




Maybe Lisa was in town and having a bad night and decided to do what her daddy did one time and crash the gates!!

Oh, please....

[lvs2day]

this is just terrible, it is true that memphis has their share of crime etc.. i do agree that something can and will happen to graceland in the future if the law doesn't come down on the hooligins of that city.

[Polk-Salad-Annie]

Graceland without gates

http://www.elvismatters.com/nieuws/afbeeldingen/thumbnails/173_20100406085842.jpg

A confusing message regarding an incident at Graceland last week circulated the last days by mail.
The message stated that a SUV smashed the Graceland gates, the driver got to the entrance of the house and then turned back.
There was no report on this via official press media, so at first one could think it was an April fool’s joke.
Pictures of the damaged gates popped up and look that – luckily enough – the damaging was not too bad.
We can now confirm for 100% that the story is true. EPE did not hesitate and removed the gates for restoration.
This gives a unique look…for the first time in many years, Graceland has to do it without its iconic gates.
It is still strange that this incident was not reporter by official media.

Source: ElvisMatters, april 6th 2010

[Polk-Salad-Annie]

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/4223/gr1.png

Source: Elvis Memories Belgium

[Polk-Salad-Annie]

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/8243/gr2.png

Source: Elvis Memories Belgium

[Nicole Presley]

Maybe Lisa was in town and having a bad night and decided to do what her daddy did one time and crash the gates!!

Did Elvis do that? :blink:

[Jungleroom76]

Graceland without gates

Thanks for the pics PSA!!! (y)

Graceland definitely looks different without the gates, that's for sure... :hmm:

TCB!
Mike

[Unchained Melody]

Sad site to see that Mansion without those gates out front.

[TotallyInsane]

Yes, he did. And, by the way, I was joking about Lisa doing it. Lord knows I didn't mean to offend anyone.

[Unchained Melody]

Hopefully anyone would know that when reading it lol.

[Awickedreigndrop]

Just seen some pictures of the gates being put back up on Elvis Insiders so they're back. They look good as new!

[vivaelvis]

The more I hear about this from the EP world and not a peep from the local media or the police the more I think conspiracy theory and cover up. It just doesn't add up.

[Brian Quinn]

The Graceland gates are now repaired, re-painted and back where they belong. The following statement has been issued by EPE:

For obvious reasons, security at Graceland and Heartbreak Hotel must remain confidential. Corporate policy prevents us from being able to address or answer specific questions or concerns regarding security matters.

Of course, Graceland has a well-trained and staffed security department utilizing all the latest technology. Additionally, we have an excellent relationship with the Memphis Police Department and all other city support agencies.

[Jungleroom76]

Additionally, we have an excellent relationship with the Memphis Police Department and all other city support agencies.

How excellent can that relationship be when it took them 30 minutes to respond to the incident??? :hmm:

TCB!
Mike

[Tony Trout]

The gates have been repainted/repaired/reinstalled. Personally, even though we're all Elvis fans here, I think we're over-reacting just a way bit too much to this news.

Accidents happen, even deliberate ones.

[KPM]

I hate to say this but if Sillerman and the city don't get this "redevelopment" underway soon that something terrible is going to happen at or to Graceland that we fans won't be able to handle. It also sounds like EPE is trying to cover this story up to save from scaring off tourism. It wouldn't be the first time they've done that.
There is as much chance of "something terrible happening" anywhere in the US as there is at Graceland.
Crime is worse in 9 major cities, and just as bad in hundreds more-the truely sad thing is that crime is bad in the US. To single out Memphis is a little misleading when you see the figures. Redevelopment is not the be all end all answer- being tougher on criminals, with less plea bargains and harsher justice on illegal drugs (the heart of much crime in the US-users steal and mug to get their drugs)
When you redevelope one area-the bad element just moves nearby and crime is still near.

[Tony Trout]

There is as much chance of "something terrible happening" anywhere in the US as there is at Graceland.
Crime is worse in 9 major cities, and just as bad in hundreds more-the truely sad thing is that crime is bad in the US. To single out Memphis is a little misleading when you see the figures. Redevelopment is not the be all end all answer- being tougher on criminals, with less plea bargains and harsher justice on illegal drugs (the heart of much crime in the US-users steal and mug to get their drugs)
When you redevelope one area-the bad element just moves nearby and crime is still near.

I agree 100% with this.

[Tommy]

There are a lot of places in the United Stated that are very nice and free from bad stuff happening.

[TCB81975]

Some people have no respect. Not only is it the Kings home, its on the National Historic Register for God's sake. Someone should have their *** kicked for doing that. I live in what is now known as the "Durty South" and it is getting bad everywhere. Especially Memphis,Atlanta,Nashville and so on. nothing is sacred anymore it seems. Too bad E wasnt there to wave his hog legs(southern vernacular for guns) at them.

[Unchained Melody]

Some people have no respect. Not only is it the Kings home, its on the National Historic Register for God's sake. Someone should have their *** kicked for doing that.

For that reason, Graceland being a national historic landmark, imo, people do need to be concerned about this, especially his fans. But with the news TT, posted, they have been repaired, fresh coat of paint etc, I am happy with this.

[TCB81975]

You are right Bradley. I suppose the fact that they are restored is the important thing. Point well taken.

[Polk-Salad-Annie]

Graceland gates repaired

http://www.elvismatters.com/nieuws/afbeeldingen/thumbnails/173_20100407185235.jpg

The EPE management did not loose any time with the reperation of the Graceland Gates.
The driveway to the mansion was only one day without the iconic gates.
Construction workers placed the repaired gates back where they belong.
For the first time since the incident, EPE published on official reaction:


For obvious reasons, security at Graceland and Heartbreak Hotel must remain confidential.
Corporate policy prevents us from being able to address or answer specific questions or concerns regarding security matters.

Of course, Graceland has a well-trained and staffed security department utilizing all the latest technology.
Additionally, we have an excellent relationship with the Memphis Police Department and all other city support agencies.

Source: ElvisMatters, april 7th 2010

[Jungleroom76]

Thanks for the new pictures PSA!!! (y)

I can understand that EPE can make no comment due to the confidentiality issue, but I still can't believe no news agencies picked up this story... :hmm:

Hopefully something will be learned from this incident to further tighten security so something like this won't happen again! ;)

TCB!
Mike

[Unchained Melody]

I don't see how something like this happened to begin with, and nobody was charged with whatever, whether it be wreckless driving or whatever the case may be.

Maybe a good idea for the Graceland staff would be more security cameras out front, and on gaurd security around the clock as some members have already suggested.

I don't think this situation should be taken lightly, yes, we here are going to be more concerned than your average joe, simply as we are all Elvis Presley fans and want to see his home and grounds protected like they should be.

[KPM]

There are a lot of places in the United Stated that are very nice and free from bad stuff happening.
My cousin runs a small restaurant and motel in Wyoming-and he says crime is non-existent there, but the population is small. The further away you get from the really populated areas the better the crime rate (usually) I live in a small Illinois town about 25 miles from St. Louis and the crime from St. Louis has affected our small town of 35,000 -steadily raising our own area crime rate over the last 25 years.
Drug crime is rampant in the US....I wish it was not so but in the early 70s when I got married I had never heard of a driveby shooting let alone have them in my town-now we have 3-4 a year or shootings at public parks a couple a year. Its unreal how easily people turn to violence over small simple matters today.

[Tommy]

Yes, EPE didn't want this known for sure, because it would seem that their security is almost nonexistent. :doh:

Why doesn't Lisa Marie take care of this problem with security?

[KPM]

Yes, EPE didn't want this known for sure, because it would seem that their security is almost nonexistent. :doh:

Why doesn't Lisa Marie take care of this problem with security?
I'm sure that the Head of Security will take a hard look at how this happened-and review the procedures they have in place......................but lets look at the incidents over the last 10 years at the White House-people jumping the fence, people with weapons on the street near the White House, weapons fired at the White House etc......and its supposed to be the most secure home in the US.
If you can not always keep a nut from the White House-with every conceivable secutity measure in place and literally hundreds of guards, Army and Marine details, anti aircraft guns on the White House roof..........its going to be hard to keep a nut from Graceland if hes nutty enough.

The real mystery is how this car got away- the gate guards just let the car back out without trying to stop it.
If EPE is hiding this its the wrong plan IMO-I would not hide this-I would make an example of this situation and make sure the guy is caught and prosecuted.

[Tommy]

I'm sure that the Head of Security will take a hard look at how this happened-and review the procedures they have in place......................but lets look at the incidents over the last 10 years at the White House-people jumping the fence, people with weapons on the street near the White House, weapons fired at the White House etc......and its supposed to be the most secure home in the US.
If you can not always keep a nut from the White House-with every conceivable secutity measure in place and literally hundreds of guards, Army and Marine details, anti aircraft guns on the White House roof..........its going to be hard to keep a nut from Graceland if hes nutty enough.

The real mystery is how this car got away- the gate guards just let the car back out without trying to stop it.
If EPE is hiding this its the wrong plan IMO-I would not hide this-I would make an example of this situation and make sure the guy is caught and prosecuted.

Of course the White House is protected very well, I have not heard of any incidents happening at the White House in a long time. No person has gotten that close inside the grounds of the White House.

Graceland should be much more protected, I don't care if it's about a nut or not, the bottom line is they need more protection.

The guard was too frighten to do anything was my understanding.

[KPM]

Of course the White House is protected very well, I have not heard of any incidents happening at the White House in a long time. No person has gotten that close inside the grounds of the White House. Graceland should be much more protected, I don't care if it's about a nut or not, the bottom line is they need more protection.

The guard was too frighten to do anything was my understanding.
I am not disagreeing that better security is needed-but I am saying that this is a single incident since the house was opened-pretty good record.
The White House has had 91 security breaches at its checkpoints since 1980 including some involving guns and threats:
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/washington-post-reports-91-security-breaches-white-house
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/white-house-security-scare/2006/04/10/1144521237138.html
An unarmed intruder with a history of jumping the White House fence was subdued at gunpoint on Sunday after entering the grounds of the executive mansion while President George W. Bush was at home.

The bearded man, wearing a ragged T-shirt that said "God Bless America," scaled the White House fence and ran onto the front lawn, waving his arms and screaming "I am a victim of terrorism," before Secret Service officers chased him down


http://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/24/us/man-and-agent-in-shooting-on-the-white-house-lawn.html?pagewanted=1
This story tells of a armed man who scaled a fence and was shot by a Secret Service agent

Another breach....:
Federal prosecutors yesterday detailed their reasons for requesting a psychiatric examination of the man accused of opening fire outside the White House last week, saying that Robert W. Pickett's writings in recent weeks suggest he is mentally unstable.

March 31, 2005 - 6:54am

WASHINGTON - Just hours after a man set himself on fire on Pennsylvania Avenue, another man jumped the fence onto White House grounds.
WTOP has learned that around 5 p.m. Monday, the man scaled the six-foot high fence, landed on the other side, and was pounced-on by the uniformed Secret Service.

This happened just hours after the Secret Service put the flames out on another man. D.C. Fire and EMS spokesman Alan Etter says the 52-year-old man suffered serious burns to his head, back, arms and face.

Officials do not know what sparked either man to do what he did.

(Copyright 2004 by WTOP and The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

The White House is the home of the USA's President and a shining beacon for every nut job in the world to take their protest.

Graceland was the home of a Rock 'n' Roll star, so secret service men don't hang around every corner to protect it. Graceland holds artifacts of great value, A Jumpsuit could potentially raise up to $500,000. Many items are irreplaceable if stolen or worse someone starts a fire. I realise this is a minor incident, the problem could be escalated if positive action isn't taken to ward off potential nut jobs who see Graceland as a soft target.

[Jungleroom76]

The real mystery is how this car got away- the gate guards just let the car back out without trying to stop it.
If EPE is hiding this its the wrong plan IMO-I would not hide this-I would make an example of this situation and make sure the guy is caught and prosecuted.

RIGHT ON KEN!!! (y)

Now that other nutcases out there have seen that this has happened and the person was able to get away with it, there's no telling how many others will try this!! (n)

TCB!
Mike

[Jungleroom76]

The guard was too frighten to do anything was my understanding.

I can certainly understand that...it's a natural reaction!! So this should be a lesson to EPE that they need to increase the number of guards on duty or whatever to protect Graceland and to provide back-up in a case like this where the one guard is too frightened to respond to the situation... :hmm:

TCB!
Mike

[KPM]

The White House is the home of the USA's President and a shining beacon for every nut job in the world to take their protest.

Graceland was the home of a Rock 'n' Roll star, so secret service men don't hang around every corner to protect it. Graceland holds artifacts of great value, A Jumpsuit could potentially raise up to $500,000. Many items are irreplaceable if stolen or worse someone starts a fire. I realise this is a minor incident, the problem could be escalated if positive action isn't taken to ward off potential nut jobs who see Graceland as a soft target.
Actually that was the point I was trying to make-that with all the top drawer, intense super secret security at the White House, and all the agents, guards and military men on duty, Helicopters which monitor the streets around the White House.... still breaches of the area happen, still we have people who somehow get onto the grounds or near the grounds with weapons......
I agree that security at Graceland needs to be as secure as they can make it-but the White House security budget figure is not even fully known (so many areas that overlap Army, Marines, Secret Service... technology on site etc)-and it is still vulnerable to breaches.
Someone once said that in a free society-no one can stop a lone individual from doing harm to others and the property they own, if he is truely intent on doing something harmful.
That said I think this security guard who more or less froze (from what I have read) should at the least be retrained. If the level of training is on par with all security being "Barney Fife's" then they need to ramp it up a notch.
I do not know if Graceland security is their own people or is contracted out to a private security company so that is factor also.

[vivaelvis]

Kind of funny that shortly after this incident occured the Memphis mayor AC Wharton went public about putting the Graceland area improvements at the very top of city projects for 2010. The Beale Street Landing project may now not be completed as planned because the money they needed to finish it will now go towards upgrading the Graceland area. The city, state, and county is about to invest a fortune into that part of town to clean it up for tourists. What they're going to do is anyone's guess. But some living there believe the unpopular American practice called eminant domain may be used to get rid of unstable small businesses and relocate housing projects that are nearby. If true this would clean up the crime around Graceland and be the start of something positive.

[KPM]

Kind of funny that shortly after this incident occured the Memphis mayor AC Wharton went public about putting the Graceland area improvements at the very top of city projects for 2010. The Beale Street Landing project may now not be completed as planned because the money they needed to finish it will now go towards upgrading the Graceland area. The city, state, and county is about to invest a fortune into that part of town to clean it up for tourists. What they're going to do is anyone's guess. But some living there believe the unpopular American practice called eminant domain may be used to get rid of unstable small businesses and relocate housing projects that are nearby. If true this would clean up the crime around Graceland and be the start of something positive.
If that is used-it will probably add years to the date of expected completion.
All small business owners, owners of housing projects and individual homeowners will have the right to contest the action, then they will have appeal rights to any decision made that they do not like.....this can add years of time because the courts move so slowly.....and it will add greatly to the total cost because land owners will be in the catbird seat to ask for top dollar-for relocation, inconvenience, and actual worth of property. My brothers house was in a similar eminant domain situation (for a new highway expansion) he leased his house-did not even own it and he ended up with about $6,000 for moving expense and for the the trouble of having to move-the house owner told him the house was worth $70,000 but ended up with $93,000 for the property after negotiations with the state.

[vivaelvis]

If that is used-it will probably add years to the date of expected completion.
All small business owners, owners of housing projects and individual homeowners will have the right to contest the action, then they will have appeal rights to any decision made that they do not like.....this can add years of time because the courts move so slowly.....and it will add greatly to the total cost because land owners will be in the catbird seat to ask for top dollar-for relocation, inconvenience, and actual worth of property. My brothers house was in a similar eminant domain situation (for a new highway expansion) he leased his house-did not even own it and he ended up with about $6,000 for moving expense and for the the trouble of having to move-the house owner told him the house was worth $70,000 but ended up with $93,000 for the property after negotiations with the state.



That's not exactly accurate. If it's an individual or company requesting to take personal property from a owner or smaller company then yes, it can take a while to be approved. But if it's requested by a city or state then no. It usually gets cleared automatically by the government as long as it benefits the local economy. The government looks to see if the requested ED benefits economical growth before they decide. This is why so many Americans have been trying to get ED eliminated from the law books because of how it can be used to take your property without your input. But in cases like this it benefits the Memphis economy, creates better and long term employment and better human lifestyles for all. There are other loopwholes for the city to take property that is condemned or considered unstable without having to go the route of ED. To most who do use ED usually do it as a last resort option. As most of the time it pushes back developments of those projects. But should there be use of ED in the Graceland area improvements it would be by the city and would not derail or affect what EPE is planning to do. Most likely it would deal with small businesses and crime infected sub-devisions within the new TDZ. The improvements of the area is said to be a 3 mile stretch of the boulevard. Not just strictly around the tourist attraction but beyond those barriers.

Your brother's situation is totally different from what this would call for. His was dealing with highway transportation development which takes years to begin with to get approved. Plus it does not benefit the local economy. Now if the city were to have went to him about building a new mall or sports arena nd needed his land then his choice wouldn't have been as easy and wouldn't have had much of an argument. I know it sounds unfair and wrong but that's how the US laws work when it comes to ED.

[KPM]

That's not exactly accurate. If it's an individual or company requesting to take personal property from a owner or smaller company then yes, it can take a while to be approved. But if it's requested by a city or state then no. It usually gets cleared automatically by the government as long as it benefits the local economy. The government looks to see if the requested ED benefits economical growth before they decide. This is why so many Americans have been trying to get ED eliminated from the law books because of how it can be used to take your property without your input. But in cases like this it benefits the Memphis economy, creates better and long term employment and better human lifestyles for all. There are other loopwholes for the city to take property that is condemned or considered unstable without having to go the route of ED. To most who do use ED usually do it as a last resort option. As most of the time it pushes back developments of those projects. But should there be use of ED in the Graceland area improvements it would be by the city and would not derail or affect what EPE is planning to do. Most likely it would deal with small businesses and crime infected sub-devisions within the new TDZ. The improvements of the area is said to be a 3 mile stretch of the boulevard. Not just strictly around the tourist attraction but beyond those barriers.

Your brother's situation is totally different from what this would call for. His was dealing with highway transportation development which takes years to begin with to get approved. Plus it does not benefit the local economy. Now if the city were to have went to him about building a new mall or sports arena nd needed his land then his choice wouldn't have been as easy and wouldn't have had much of an argument. I know it sounds unfair and wrong but that's how the US laws work when it comes to ED.
Sorry but I just do not agree.
I have seen this time and time again-in St Louis it was for added runway space which would improve the traffic flow in and out of St Louis-and help the economy....yet people file suits against the government action and it adds years to the time frame of the project.
People still have the right to fight-even eminent domain situations.
It is exactly like my brothers situation....... a highway espansion has a great deal to do with the local economy-the whole idea behind the expansion of the highway which went thru my brothers area was to make it quicker to get from St Louis to the east side-and the reason eminent domain was used was because it was suppose to be absolutely essential to economic growth on both sides of the river.
Highway and airports are two of the biggest uses of eminent domain laws....yet people still fight (mainly to hope that the government will kick up their offers in order to avoid the delays that court situations cause)

.... eminent domain indicates the government is taking ownership of the property or a lesser interest in it, such as an easement. In most cases the only thing that remains to be decided when a condemnation action is filed is the amount of just compensation, although in some cases the right to take may be challenged by the property owner on the grounds that the attempted taking is not for a public use, or has not been authorized by the legislature, or because the condemnor has not followed the proper procedure required by law........