About…With more than three decades manufacturing bulletproof security systems, Total Security Solutions is the industry leader for custom bullet resistant barriers that meet your bulletproof security needs on-time, on-budget, and expertly finished. | June 29th, 2009 After a 26% spike in first quarter bank robberies following a 57% increase in 2008, the New York City Council proposed a mandate that would require all bank branches to install bulletproof glass barriers. This morning, the Council’s Public Safety Committee held a hearing for bank industry officials to express their concerns over the “bandit barrier” legislation. “Bulletproof fortifications around tellers in banks — known as “bandit barriers” [. . .] — have pitted banks and the police against each other in a policy argument over safety, expense and businesses’ rights to manage their own security.” Read “Banks and Police Clash Over Proposal for Bulletproof Barriers” by Dominick Tao, The New York Times. June 29th, 2009 Taken from nydailynews.com. By Frank Lombardi Bank stickups will be the talk of City Hall on Monday. With the backing of Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, the City Council is moving ahead with a bill to mandate that all 1,698 bank branches in the city erect “bandit barriers” around their tellers. The bill specifies that bullet resistant barriers or partitions be installed to prevent individuals from getting access “to the protected area where the tellers transact business.” Failure to erect such barriers will carry a fine of up to $1,500 for each violation, plus an additional fine of as much as $1,500 if the violation isn’t corrected and a $1,000 fine for each day the violation goes uncorrected. Many banks do have such barriers, but the tougher ballistic standards required in the bill might force them to build new ones. Banking industry officials will get a chance to sound off at a public hearing this morning being held at City Hall by the Council’s Public Safety Committee. The bill was prompted by a 26% spike in bank robberies during the first quarter of this year, on top of the 57% increase in robberies last year over the prior year. However, industry officials report that the robbery rate has fallen since March. A total of 135 robberies were reported through June 23, compared with 192 for the same period last year – a drop of 30%. In the past, Kelly has expressed special concern about the bank branches now owned by TD Bank, which acquired Commerce Bank last year. The 73 TD/Commerce Bank branches around the city were hit by robbers 46 times last year. None of the TD Bank branches have bandit barriers; the lack of them is intended to give customers a more inviting atmosphere. Lawrence Sherman, a criminologist who is a consultant for TD Bank, said, “Not one customer or employee has been injured in the course of a robbery” at any TD/Commerce branch in the city since they began operating in 2001. But the bill’s main sponsor, Councilman Oliver Koppell (D-Bronx), blasted TD Bank’s lack of barriers, saying: “Chase branches all have . . . → Read More: Banking on bandit barriers: Bill would make them mandatory in city June 25th, 2009 When installing a bulletproof barrier, it is important to analyze all weak points of your facility, including transaction windows and doors. Total Security Solutions offers a wide variety of bullet resistant doors, including acrylic doors, aluminum frame doors, transactional doors, wood doors, and most recently, steel doors. The all-steel bulletproof door comes pre-hung on a steel frame and can be customized with peepholes, view windows, and door scopes. Our bulletproof doors enable access to staff areas as required and even meet ADA standards. They work hand-in-hand with the complete bullet resistant barrier to provide a safe and secure work environment for employees of banks, credit unions, convenience stores or police stations. All available bullet proof doors provide Level 3 security according to the Standard UL Protection Level Ratings. While we do offer custom sizes for its bullet resistant steel doors, standard bullet proof steel doors are 3’x7’. The bullet resistant steel door also comes standard with a heavy-duty continuous hinge, deadbolt lock sets with thumb turns and cylinders, and a LCN closer. Read more about custom options available for our bulletproof steel door. June 19th, 2009 New security measures discussed for City Hall following a scrap between a Councilwoman and a Council “regular.” Taken from LansingCityPulse.com. By Angela Vasquez-Giroux; published Wednesday, June 17, 2009. An East Lansing prosecutor has declined to press assault charges against a Lansing City Council gadfly after an altercation with a Councilwoman last month, but efforts to beef up security at Lansing City Council meetings are ongoing. Third Ward Councilwoman A’Lynne Robinson was involved in an altercation with Charlene Decker, one of Robinson’s constituents, after a May 28 Council Committee of the Whole meeting. Robinson sought an assault charge claiming that what started as an argument over public comment rights ended in a physical altercation. “After reading the police report and conferring with the victim, I did not issue assault or assault and battery charges, simply because the touching did not appear to be intentional,” Tom Yeadon, an East Lansing prosecutor, said. Robinson had accused Decker of grabbing her finger, which allegedly happened as Robinson swatted Decker´s finger away as Decker pointed it in her face. Lansing City Attorney Brig Smith was a witness to the incident, which is why Yeadon was given jurisdiction over the case. While Yeadon was determining whether to file charges, Robinson held a meeting with City Clerk Chris Swope, Lansing Police Department Capt. Edward Forrest, Council administrative assistant Therese Horn and Smith. The outcome was a list of suggestions, like locking doors and holding all meetings in Council chambers. But loftier suggestions would have the saloon-style doors that separate Council from the audience fitted with electronic locks controlled by the Council president. Earlier this year, Lansing resident Barry Schiffer kicked open those doors and angrily approached Council after a profane tirade — including talking about is AK-47 — that ended with him being subdued by police. Other ideas include adding bulletproof glass to the barrier separating the audience from the Council and installing cameras in stairwells and other areas around Council chambers. First Ward Councilman Eric Hewitt says that he doesn´t think safety is an issue and wondered aloud about the cost of the safety measures. Robinson, however, feels the security . . . → Read More: Bullet proof June 18th, 2009 Taken from The Huntsville Times; published June 17, 2009 A U.S. House subcommittee has approved $3.5 million for security improvements at Redstone Arsenal’s Gate 7 entrance on Martin Road, according to U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith. The money – included in the Pentagon’s 2010 construction budget – will be used to build a guard house, canopy, guard booths and a covered vehicle inspection station. Anti-terrorist protections measures, including security lighting, bullet resistant glass at the guard house and booths, among other upgrades, are also included in the cost. The project must now be approved by the House Appropriations Committee for Military Construction and the full House and signed by the president. June 18th, 2009 Total Security Solutions recently completed a bullet proof barrier installation in a national financial institution. The secure sound bullet resistant barrier system incorporated bulletproof transparencies, bullet resistant fiberglass, and currency trays. Secure sound bullet proof barriers, as well as Arch Window and Baffle Window systems, are typically utilized by banks, credit unions or check cashing facilities because they provide a friendly access portal for staff/customer interaction, an architectural appeal, and security from UL Level I to Level III. In addition, we provided bulletproof wood doors, which are made of plastic laminate or wood veneer over fiberglass bullet-resistant sheathing, with or without vision windows. June 15th, 2009 Taken from The Miami Herald. By Julie Landry Laviolette; published Friday, June 12, 2009. One year ago today, a 58-year-old man called 911 from the parking lot of Davie police headquarters on Nob Hill Road. He told the operator he had a 38-caliber gun and was going to shoot himself. Officers were dispatched to the scene. They secured the parking lot and tried to talk the man out of it as he stood next to his vehicle, the gun to his head. But they were unsuccessful. That suicide was one of the catalysts that prompted the Davie Police Department to plan a lobby renovation to increase security. Construction will begin later this summer and is scheduled to be completed by the fall, said the city’s public information officer, Maj. Craig Richards. ”The world is becoming more violent and police are becoming more of a target,” Richards said. “At our front desk are volunteers, civilians, light-duty officers — people who are not used to being in confrontations and are not armed. Why not take steps to protect your people?” The $250,000 project will add bullet-proof glass to the reception area, where citizens can file police reports and request records. A portion of the lobby hallway will be sealed off with a desk and bulletproof glass and the old records room will be used as a juvenile holding area and for other needs. The number of video surveillance cameras already has been increased from 19 to 41. An interactive computer kiosk also will be added to the lobby to allow residents to file police reports online that don’t require immediate attention, eliminating the need for an officer to come off the street to take every report, Richards said. The project will be paid for with impact fees the town allots to the police department to improve its services. The renovations will put the Davie headquarters on par with many other police departments, which typically use bulletproof glass and other security methods to protect personnel, Richards said. Police Chief Patrick Lynn, who wasn’t with the Davie Police Department when its headquarters were completed in 1999, . . . → Read More: Police to beef up security at headquarters June 11th, 2009 Cleaning and maintaining abrasion resistant or uncoated bullet proof acrylic. DUSTING: Dust bullet resistant acrylic with a soft cloth or chamois, wiping gently. NO paper towels. WASHING: Wash bullet resistant glass with a mild soap or detergent and lukewarm water solution. Use a clean soft cloth or natural sponge and as much solution as possible. Rinse well. Dry by blotting with a damp cloth or chamois. Grease and oil are best with hexans, kerosene or aliphatic naptha. AROMATIC COMPOUNDS MUST NOT BE USED. ANTI-STATIC COATING: The anti-static coating on bullet proof acrylic successfully prevents the accumulation of electrostatic charge. Between applications of the anti-static coating, bullet resistant glass only needs to be dusted with a soft damp cloth or chamois. Mild detergents (for example 1% Joy in water) provide good anti–static properties while serving as excellent cleaners for bullet proof acrylic. POLISHING: After cleaning and polishing, the bullet resistant acrylic may be waxed with a good grade of commercial wax. Waxing will improve the appearance of the bullet proof glass by filling in minor scratches. The wax should be applied in a thin even coat and brought to high gloss by rubbing lightly with a soft dry cloth. SCRATCH REMOVAL (for uncoated bullet proof glass): Most minor scratches can be removed by hand polishing. The polish should be applied with damp pads of soft cotton flannel and rubbed parallel to the scratch in a straight back and forth motion. Excessive rubbing at one point should be avoided. Electric buffers should not be used; they will form depressions in the surface of the bullet resistant acrylic causing optical distortions. DO NOT USE: Window cleaning fluids Scouring compounds Gritty cloths Leaded or ethyl gasolines Strong solvents such as alcohol, acetone, carbon tetrachloride, lacquer thinners, Windex, etc. NO PAPER . . . → Read More: Caring for your Bullet Proof Glass June 9th, 2009 Taken from STNG Wire Reports. Published Monday, June 8, . . . → Read More: ‘Red Line Robber’ strikes again in River North June 4th, 2009 Total Security Solutions recently added a new accessory to its line of bullet proof products – the TSS-MK1 Talk Thru. Promoting natural voice transmission through the use of evenly spaced louvers, the TSS-MK1 Talk Thru is made of stainless steel and has a 6” diameter. It is designed to fit bullet resistant glass that is .25” to 1.875” thick and provides up to Level 3 security according to the UL (Underwriters Laboratory) bullet resistant materials rating system. The TSS-MK1 Talk Thru can be integrated into a variety of bullet proof barriers in which voice communication is important, such as bullet resistant transaction windows or bullet proof walk-up windows commonly found in banks or convenience stores. Due to Total Security Solutions’ in-house manufacturing capabilities, the TSS-MK1 Talk Thru is available at a siginificantly reduced cost in comparison to other similar bullet proof products. To order the TSS-MK1 Talk Thru, call 1-800-513-1468 or email info@demandtss.com. June 2nd, 2009 Taken from The Washington Business Journal. By Tierney Plumb; published Wednesday, May 27, 2009. The Four Seasons Hotel unveiled its 4,000-square-foot royal suite — the biggest in D.C. — just in time for Inauguration Day, and it has steadily accommodated royalty and celebrities in its first few months of existence. It is the Georgetown hotel’s sixth suite, and its amenities include a wooden private patio, gym, library, Bang & Olufsen systems and bullet-resistant glass. Designed by Anderson/Miller Ltd., the suite is accented by wool and silk blend rugs, rich woods and iridescent shell detail. The foyer welcomes guests with a Swarovski crystal ceiling shining down on sparkling stone mosaic tiling. The dining room, which fits 10, sits adjacent to a 1,000 square-foot outdoor patio with a fire pit that overlooks Georgetown. Complimentary perks at the $12,500-per-night suite include car service and a personalized shopper. While the 222-room hotel remains mum about guest lists, the first to stay during Inauguration — reportedly Oprah Winfrey — did a “happy dance” when she entered the suite, said a spokeswoman. The suite is currently booked for the first half of June with many tentative bookings for the coming months, she added. For guests traveling with entourages, the entire wing the suite lives in can be closed off to include eight bedrooms totalling nearly 9,000 square feet. |
