Sources confirm the National Park Service has contracted a British security consultancy after vandals struck Washington’s Reflecting Pool overnight. The pristine stretch of water, a symbol of national unity, was found dyed an unnatural shade of red at dawn. Park Police say the staining agent has not been identified but appears to be a non-toxic dye.
The consultancy, London-based Corbeau Risk, has a reputation for handling high-profile property crimes and political embarrassment. Documents obtained by this newsroom show the contract is valued at £340,000 and was approved without competitive tender. Corbeau’s brief includes assessing vulnerabilities and recommending countermeasures.
A Park Service spokesperson said the move was necessary because ‘domestic expertise in protecting national icons is insufficient’. Critics question why an American landmark requires British consultants. One former federal security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, called it ‘a troubling sign of outsourcing national security’.
The cleanup is expected to take two weeks. The vandalism has no known connection to any political group, and no arrests have been made.
