Anyone else find it weird that there is a single spot where staff and guests store cell phones? For security, how sloppy is that?
And, why would anyone need to store a cell phone rather than just carry it around when working or visiting?
Unless...
This is a location so secure that the Secret Service requires everyone to surrender their cell phones in order to gain admission, such as a SCIF?
Cellphones were banned in the White House in 2018.
I don’t know if they are allowed now.
It’s a wise policy.
Many sensitive or classified govt. areas prohibit smartphones or any device with a recording capability. Groups of small lockboxes often are placed outside of such areas. An individual places items in a box, locks it with the key that’s in the lock, then takes the key with him/her into the secure area. There’s nearly a 100% probability surveillance devices are trained on the lockboxes in the West Wing where the cocaine was found. The SS already knows who is the culprit (Crackhead).