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.
According to an article posted on CitizensVoice.com, “A woman’s robbery attempt on Christmas morning failed badly: she pulled a knife and rock on a clerk protected inside a bulletproof booth and then became trapped in the store when he remotely locked the exit door.”
The Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania convenience store hasn’t been robbed in five years and the owner attributes the store’s safe reputation to the booth protecting its clerks. Catina Nahodil, the store owner, said. “I think employers who have these care about their employees a lot.”
Angelina Donvito was charged with robbery, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness. Nahodil hopes the failed robbery will serve as a warning to other criminals to avoid robbing her store.
According to a GainesvilleTimes.com article, the number of armed robberies in Gainesville, Georgia spiked in the month of August with 10 robberies. “We definitely have seen an increase in the armed robberies at the convenience stores within the past month,” said Sgt. Chad Ford of the Gainesville Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division.
Ford cited economic trouble as one possible explanation for August’s increase of robberies stating that at this point, the focus of the robberies has been on the money.
One particular Shell Food Mart was the target of two armed robberies in August. As a result, the store owner, Ahmed Tharani, is looking into bulletproof glass to protect himself from future robberies. Store owners are being advised to take precautions when transporting money to the bank and keep their businesses secure at night.
In a Cincinnati.com article, stray bullets were cited as the reason for one local fire station to install bullet-resistant glass. The Over-the-Rhine fire station has dealt with previous incidents of stray bullets bringing to light “a bigger issue: firefighters working in high-crime neighborhoods have to worry about more than burning buildings.”
The recent incident involved two stray bullets. “One bullet pierced a garage door window; the other lodged in a window. On the other side of the window: a lieutenant’s desk.” Focusing on the safety of the firefighters, the city immediately approved the installation of bulletproof glass.
A masked man carrying an AK-47 assault rifle entered a Florida gas station convenience store just before 3:00am on July 23, but left empty-handed after discovering the clerk was safely protected behind bulletproof glass. No customers were harmed.
Police were able to catch a glimpse of his face, however, when he removed his mask as he walked out of the store.
While the idea of a $300 million yacht is beyond the reach of most people, it’s fun to see how the other half lives. A blog post on HauteLiving.com states that David Geffen, DreamWorks founder, recently purchased a yacht outfitted with “two helipads, a swimming pool, spa pool, and a lavish owner’s suite with 180-degree panoramic views and a private deck.”
If that weren’t enough, Russion billionaire Andrey Melnichenko’s yacht features “an all-white 2,583-square foot master suite encompassed by bulletproof glass, which can only be accessed through a silver-plated staircase with a fingerprint scanning security measure at the door.”
At Total Security Solutions, we understand that your employees are your most valuable asset, and we work with you to design a custom bullet-resistant barrier that fits your business’ needs and protects the lives of your customers and staff.
An Associated Press article reports that “armed robberies at pharmacies rose 81 percent between 2006 and 2010, from 380 to 686, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says.” There have been several fatal robberies throughout the U.S. as individuals resort to theft to get their hands on prescription painkillers.
One Montana pharmacy was protected by the bulletproof drive-through window as a woman attempted to smash through the glass with a crowbar and break-in. Others have equipped their workers with wireless “panic buttons” that alert the police. As the occurrence of robberies continues to increase, more pharmacies are considering bullet proof windows to protect their employees.
A non-working 1967 double decker bus will find new life at the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, New York. A WHEC article states, “They are taking out all the seats, re-inforcing the walls with steel and replacing windows with bullet proof glass.”
The bus will be parked along the fence to the lion exhibit providing zoo visitors a safari-like experience allowing them to come “face to face with the king of the jungle.”
Bullet resistant panels and glass are nearly unique, in that the product is so familiar–we’ve all seen it, touched it, and know what it does–but, in contrast to a car, flat-panel TV, or college education, few of us have seen the price tag.
Total Security Solutions vice president Jim Richards admits, “it’s really hard when you get that initial call. You’d be surprised by the number of people that have no idea what this costs,” or how quickly customizations can add up. “That’s the challenge–informing the customer–more than selling: What are they truly looking for? Do they have a fixed budget? We’re not going to recommend a $10,000 solution if you only have $2,000 to spend.”
A Broad Price Range
It doesn’t help that the price range for a bullet proof system is wide: On one end, a tidy little transaction window with a counter and currency tray–which ships as a single piece and can be installed by any competent carpenter–might run as little as $900. On the other end, a custom design for a Federal Reserve bank in a major US city, with 4 doors, 22 windows, yards of bullet resistant fiberglass panels, and custom hardware can easily run upwards of $160,000.
Jim trains his sales staff to be prepared for sticker shock. “A cost is a cost; we let our salesman know that we don’t have anything to hide: you give us what your requirements are, and we’ll tell you what the costs are.”
Assessing those costs means answering three questions:
We often think of banks, pharmacies, municipal buildings and convenience stores as the most likely places to find bulletproof glass, but cars, museums and other places can be bulletproof, too. We’ve previously mused on the Mona Lisa’s vacation from her bulletproof case and bulletproof tech devices.
As music lovers, we appreciate that Eric Clapton’s famous guitar, Brownie, is also housed in bulletproof glass. Owned by billionaire Paul Allen, Brownie is part of the Experience Music Project, a Seattle organization where “music meets science fiction.”
What’s different about Brownie versus any other guitar that the rock legend touches? It was the axe Clapton used on his utterly amazing Layla album. (Another fun Layla fact? It’s based on a 12th century poem, “Leyli and Majnun”.)
On Saturday, Clapton will be a mere stone’s throw from Brownie when he plays a concert at KeyArena. Reportedly, no reunion between man and guitar is planned.
Luxury car company Audi recently announced plans to release its classic A8 sedan as an armored vehicle. The car is complete with bulletproof glass and armored plating.
This hardcore car earned the German VR 7 Ballistic certification. The certification means that the car is bulletproof, including fire from an assault rifle, and can also withstand anti-tank mines.
After protests occurred in London tied to a recent increase in public college tuition fees, security surrounding Britain’s Prince Charles has increased. Among the new measures: Reinforcements to his Bentley.
The bomb-proof vehicle, valued at $235,000, is outfitted with bulletproof glass. According to published reports, the car also includes GPS tracking and armor plating.
What’s interesting is that the bullet resistant glass used in vehicles like the Prince’s Bentley might be one way, meaning it will stop a bullet from coming into the car, but not stop a bullet from being shot from within the vehicle.
It’s not unusual for dignitaries to ride in vehicles protected by bulletproof glass. In fact, The Presidential State Car of the United States is outfitted with bulletproof glass.
Founded in 1980 and privately owned, Evans Consoles is the world leader in the design and manufacturing of custom control room solutions for mission critical and other technology-intensive environments. Specializing in custom console, millwork and audio-visual enclosure solutions, Evans has built the reputation over the last 30 years of providing quality and service that continues to lead the industry.
About a year ago, Evans Consoles began working with Total Security Solutions.
“Initially, we were doing business with a Total Security Solutions’ competitor,” said Enzo Serpentini, a procurement specialist with Evans Consoles. “We were dissatisfied by the customer service.”
Evans turned to Total Security Solutions for help with bulletproof glass for new shopping mall-based financial facilities.
“The first quote came back exceptionally lower than what the competitor was charging, so we gave Total Security Solutions a shot,” Serpentini explained.
The product price was only the beginning of Evans Consoles’ satisfaction with Total Security Solutions. Even though Evans Consoles delivery timeline were very time sensitive, Total Security Solutions had no problem in meeting project deadline. Delivering remarkable turn around time, within two weeks, Total Security Solutions had shipped the product.
“Total Security Solutions made Evans Consoles look pretty good because our customer was happy,” Serpentini said. “We’ve used Total Security Solutions as our bulletproof glass provider since that initial experience.”
“I know that I don’t have to worry when Total Security Solutions is on board,” Serpentini added. “Once I give Total Security Solutions a purchase order, I can cross it off of my list because I’m confident the job will get done right, on time. I wouldn’t consider shopping elsewhere.”
Attendees at the recent G-20 Summit in Seoul were protected by state of the art security, include a seven foot, mile long bullet proof barrier. The bulletproof barrier encompassed the meeting venue.
Other notable G-20 security included six goldfish. The fish were housed in an underground aquarium and were monitored for signs of poisoning.
The G-20, also know as the Group of 20, is comprised of finance ministers and central bank governors from around the world. Economically powerful countries, including the U.S. and Canada, met at the summit to discuss key issues in the global economy.
A would-be bank robber in Smyna, Georgia was thwarted by bulletproof glass yesterday. The robbery attempt occurred at a BB&T Bank at around 11 a.m.
According to police, the man was caught on camera handing a bank teller a note demanding money. Fortunately, the area is protected by bulletproof glass.
The man left the bank empty handed.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cobb County Police Department at 770-499-3945.
At Total Security Solutions, we appreciate any bulletproof barrier that saves a life, especially when it protects someone who’s acting in the line of duty.
Earlier this morning, a police officer from Grand Rapids, Mich. was shot during a standoff. The officer credits his bulletproof vest with saving his life.
A recent NPR report highlighted the growth of bulletproof glass businesses south of the border. As Mexico’s drug wars intensify, so too, grows the need for armored vehicles.
Photo courtesy of NPR/ Jason Beaubien
According to NPR’s report, there are 14 armoring companies certified by Mexico’s federal government. A plant engineer at one of the armoring companies explains that armor protection can range from level 1, or basic, to level 5, or advanced:
“Armoring a car, particularly a large SUV, can mean adding more than a ton of steel, thick sheets of Kevlar and 3-inch-thick glass windows. Once you get to Level 4 and Level 5, we upgrade the suspension and in some cases the motor to compensate for the added weight.”
The report also includes reference to lives saved by bulletproof glass: “There have been… recent incidents in which bulletproofing saved lives. In April, gunmen ambushed the state security secretary for Michoacan, Minerva Bautista Gomez. The attackers fired 2,700 rounds into her convoy and ripped apart her Jeep Grand Cherokee, according to investigators. But the car had been bulletproofed and Bautista Gomez survived, though two of her bodyguards and two passing motorists were killed in the ambush.”
A transcript of the original report can be found here.
A great video from ABC13 in Houston proves that if it can stop a bullet, someone who tries to smash through a window that’s made of bulletproof glass has zero chance of getting through.
Check out the video of a man trying to escape through a bulletproof window
Courthouses are secure! And, although Total Security Solutions can’t confirm that it’s our bullet resistant glass that stopped this would-be escapee, we have installed our product in a few courthouses in the U.S.
One of the world’s most famous women was let out of her bulletproof case this week: The Mona Lisa. The Economist has an interesting article that offers insight on what happens when she’s let out of her bullet proof case annually.
Photo courtesy of the Associated Press
Housed at The Louvre in Paris, DaVinci’s masterpiece has been the subject of admiration and awe for centuries. Painted in 1503, The Mona Lisa is rumored to be valued at more than $700 million.
For those of us not lucky enough to have a stop in Paris on our summer vacation itinerary, The Louvre offers a great multimedia slideshow that will allow you to get up close (virtually) to The Mona Lisa.
We were pretty delighted to hear that bulletproof glass is among the amenities offered at the world’s most expensive hotel. At the Hotel President Wilson in Geneva, a five star wonder that offers 228 guest rooms and 48 suites, guests enjoy “all the amenities that define luxurious living, including Spa, beauty centre and hairdresser, and Fitness Centre.”
From the Daily Telegragh, a photo of the world's most expensive hotel room
Guests who spring for the hotel’s top of the line offerings get an added amenity: Bulletproof glass! Enjoy the view of Lake Geneva through bulletproof glass from the royal penthouse suite, which rents for a reported $53,000 a night.
Luckily, technology has evolved since the 30′s. We no longer test bullet proof glass as is demonstrated in this video. It’s an oldie, but goodie… and a great reminder of far we’ve come at developing not only products that keep people safe, but ways to test them for effectiveness.
If you’re interested, click over here to find more info on the process that we use to tackle every unique glass project.
We weren’t surprised at all to read a recent article about the Secret Service museum’s bullet proof glass protection. Unwanted visitors to this invite-only facility are kept out by numerous security measures, including a bullet proof reception area.
Leave it to those who know a thing or two about security to trust bullet proof glass to keep their valuables safe!
Safety is always a concern at marquee events – from concerts to sports to rallies and speeches. One of the world’s largest sporting attractions, the World Cup(TM), kicks off tomorrow in South Africa, and it’s no surprise that safety is taking some of the event’s spotlight.
Private bodyguards and GPS tracking systems are available for rental, as are special vehicles to accommodate travel needs. Bullet resistant vehicles are being rented out to World Cup spectators at a reported rate of $2000 a day.
South Africa’s crime rate is among the highest in the world, but some argue that safety concerns regarding the South African venue are media hype. Regardless of what’s truth and what’s hype, some attendees aren’t taking chances while away from the stadium by choosing bullet proof glass to keep them safe.
The insanely popular Mafia Wars game on Facebook may have caused you to ignore many a status update. Here at Total Security Solutions, we took note of the recently added bulletproof glass award the game offers. Seems like real or virtual, bulletproof is the undisputed king of safety and protection in dangerous situations.
Bulletproof glass is awarded for certain jobs in Mafia Wars. You can check out this link to the Mafia Wars Wiki for more info.
“Glassphemy!,” a psychological recycling experiment in New York City, proves that bulletproof glass can not only protect art – it can be art!
Photo by Piotr Redlinski for The New York Times
A 20-foot-by-30-foot clear box, Glassphemy! is made of steel and bulletproof glass. At the art installation, people stand on a high platform and throw recyclable bottles into the glass box. Observers, who view from platforms circling Glassphemy!, are protected from the flying debris by the box’s bulletproof glass walls.
Glassphemy! is an all-around satisfying experience, according to the New York Times.
“The bottles smash fantastically, artfully designed lights flash, and no one is harmed.”
Bullet resistant glass (better known as bulletproof glass) is referred to very often in this niche industry. However it is a little known fact that in most cases there is no actual “glass” involved. The three most common forms of ballistic security glass are acrylic, polycarbonate and glass class polycarbonate.
Bullet Resistant Acrylic from Total Security Solutions
Acrylic: Bulletproof acrylic is the most commonly used material for transaction windows and ballistic resistant barrier systems. The acrylic material is available in UL ballistic protection levels one and two. The acrylic also has the option to have an abrasion resistant (AR) coating or be standard acrylic. The abrasion resistant coating comes standard on our level two acrylic and provides protection against cleaning solvents and weather, as well as an increased resistance to the effects of ultra violet light.
Polycarbonate: Bulletproof polycarbonate materials are normally composed of an acrylic core with two polycarbonate caps each side of the secure surface. Polycarbonate materials are available in UL ballistic protection levels one thru three and all three come standard with an abrasion resistant coating. All of the polycarbonate materials that Total Security Solutions offers also have a forced entry rating.
Glass Clad Polycarbonate: Glass Clad Polycarbonate (GCP) materials are composed of inter layers of glass and polyurethane with exterior caps of glass and abrasion resistant polycarbonate. GCP comes in UL ballistic protection levels one thru five and level eight as well. All of the GCP materials that Total Security Solutions offers carry a forced entry level in addition to their ballistic rating.
Now when someone is talking about bulletproof glass you can ask them, “what type of ‘glass’ are you talking about”…if it’s even glass at all! For more information on ballistic materials such as bulletproof glass please visit our website or call us at 866-930-7807
While we would love to be able to install every transaction window ourselves, it’s just not economical for either party. Instead Total Security Solutions has came up with a simple three step process for customers to “do it yourself”:
Transaction Window Install Instructions
Cut and finished an opening in the wall to accept the unit size. The opening should be ¼” wider and taller than the size of the ordered unit.
Place the pre framed window in the opening, shim as necessary, assuring that the item is level and in the correct position desired. Attach the sides to the existing wall with the provided screws (use anchors if the wall is masonry).
Apply trim, molding that can be obtained locally, around the window and your project is finished.
Bullet proof transaction windows come in UL protection levels 1-3 and several different types (such as the baffle and arched voice port). All of Total Security Solutions transaction windows come with a full installation packet which includes the instructions, hardware, caulk, glass cleaner and towels to clean the glass. For more information on transaction windowsvisit our website or call 866-930-7807.
Bullet Proof Transaction Windows are the most common item of protection when it comes to bullet resistant products. At a glance they seem very simple; it’s just a piece of bullet resistant acrylic and some frames right? In theory that would be a good analogy but in actuality there are a lot of components that go in to engineering and ultimately building a transaction window. Depending on if you’re looking at a Baffle System, an Arched Voice Port or a Hole in Backer System the amount of work that goes in to each transaction window to make it secure is anything but simple.
Arched Voice Port Bullet Resistant Transaction Window
Starting from the ground up we begin with the counter top that transaction windows often have. The counter top is the foundation for the entire window and they come in two standard forms. The most common counter top material is plastic laminate, which can be provided in a number of different colors. The other is stainless steel. Stainless steel counter tops are often used in exterior applications and upon customer request. After the counter top is constructed then the currency tray must be either cut in or placed on top of the counter to allow money to pass between customers and employees. Most of our currency trays are recessed in to the counter top. Next comes the framing for the transaction window. Attached to the counter top is either a U channel bracket or 2 piece channel to secure the counter and window together along with pieces of 2 piece channel along the sides and top to hold the bullet proof glass in place.
Before the bullet proof glass is put in place the determination of what type of voice transmission needs to be decided. If you have chosen a baffle system, arched voice port or voice around then this is already decided; however other voice port systems are available such as the hole in backer, MK1 and MK2. Now that the counter top, frames and voice transmission system are chosen we move on the most important piece, the Bullet Proof Glass. Most transaction windows come with a level one bullet resistant 1 ¼” acrylic, however there are many other options for levels of protection. Bullet proof Glass Clad polycarbonate is available in transaction windows from bullet resistant levels 1-3 as well as polycarbonate materials. Level three LP1250 contains two 1/8th layers of polycarbonate sandwiched around an inch of bullet resistant acrylic. LP1250 offers great transparency along with a high level of protection.
There are many other transaction windows that are available such as bullet proof horizontal sliders and exterior transaction windows that can be installed in your place of business. For more information on transaction windows visit our products section of our website.
There was recently a story in the news that brought smiles to all of our faces here at Total Security Solutions. What was that story about you ask; the use of a bullet resistant barrier to detour a robber away from a bank in Florida. A burglar comically passed a note through the bullet resistant barrier and told the bank teller to “put your hands up”. The bank teller, standing behind a secure sound bullet resistant system, told the thief to “Kick Rocks”, for lack of better word.
Bullet Resistant Barriers
The would be robber was flustered and didn’t know what to do, so burglar took the honorable route (if that’s possible for a bank robber) and turned around then walked out the door. The lawbreaker was found a few hours later after being identified from a missing hubcap on the getaway vehicle. The crook didn’t put up any fight (just like in the bank) and admitted to the crimes immediately.
This just goes to show that bullet resistant systems can prevent crooks and robbers from turning violent in an environment that has a high volume of customers. Systems such as the secure sound bullet resistant system are available from Total Security Solutions to help employees and customers feel safer in a high risk environment.
Items like package passers are great for larger items such as UPS packages, bottles and other bulky items but they aren’t the best option when it comes to passing the most common item of all in a place of business, money. Currency trays are one of the most important items in a transaction area and they are often one of the last things on a person’s mind when it comes to ordering their bullet resistant products.
The three most common currency trays that you’ll see in banks, check cashiers, pawn shops and some convenience stored and gas stations are the standard currency tray, the flip lid and sliding currency tray. The standard tray comes in five different sizes and two different variations in which both have custom sizes available. They can either be recessed in a countertop or mounted on the top. All standard trays are also available with a bullet trap system that lets a bullet travel through the tray and in to a confined area to trap the bullet. The flip lid tray is often used in some exterior applications and is very similar to the standard tray, just with covers over the openings and a flat bottom to the tray. These trays are available in one size along with custom sizes as well. The sliding currency tray is very similar to the flip lid tray in terms of shape and functionality. The sliding tray has a lock on the employee side for added security and allows for some larger, bulkier items (such as cigarette cartons) to be passed without an issue. The sliding tray is available in one size as well as custom sizes as well. All of these types of currency trays can be installed in to any transaction window and are great for many different applications.
Below are the available standard sizes for all currency tray:
Bullet resistant fiberglass from Total Security Solutions
Bullet resistant fiberglass is somewhat of an afterthought to crooks and robbers. It’s normally well hidden underneath drywall or underneath a countertop; but there are many more uses for bullet resistant fiberglass then someone might think…
In the home: Just about anyone has something priceless that they would be devastated about if it were stolen; working like a safe room area bullet resistant fiberglass can do that. The fiberglass sheets can be constructed in to a room very similar to drywall to secure valuables and also keep your family safe from intruders in the case of a burglary.
At the workplace: There is a security risk at any job. Some (such as bank tellers) have a higher risk of being robbed at gun point then others. One way to keep employees and yourself secure is to line the transaction areas in bullet resistant fiberglass. It is not only a deterrent for burglars but also helps prevent total vandalism. The fiberglass panels are solid as a rock and are practically unbreakable, unlike drywall.
In the community: Schools, police departments and fire departments are also unfortunately at very high risk for criminal activity. In community locations such as these security is one of the first things that should be taken in to consideration. While there is no way to stop all violent crimes in these sectors, there is a way to prevent some of the very violent ones from happening with some added security. Fiberglass panels (along with other security measures) will show to a would be gunmen or disgruntled person that the community is serious about protecting its own.
Banks: The last (and most obvious) spot that needs added security is a bank. In a lot of cases there are entire walls, counters and rooms lined with bullet resistant fiberglass panels. Banks also tend to place bullet resistant barriers around their teller lines to protect the tellers from threats. The owners of the banks aren’t trying to save their money, which can be replaced. What can’t be replaced are the lives of the employees and customers at the bank. No insurance company can fix what happens after a robbery gone wrong. This is why many banks line as much of the area as they can to help protect their employees and customers from devastating things happening to them.
Bullet Resistant fiberglass can come in many sizes, levels of protection and can custom made for customers as well. Below are our levels of protection listed with the standard sizes of the sheet that they come in.
Level I (9mm) Level II (.357) Level III (.44 Mag) 3′ x 8′, 3′ x 9′, 3′ x 10′ 3′ x 8′, 3′ x 9′, 3′ x 10′ 3′ x 8′, 3′ x 9′ 4′ x 8′, 4′ x 9′, 4′ x 10′ 4′ x 8′, 4′ x 9′, 4′ x 10′ 3′ x 10′, 4′ x 8′
Rotary Package Processor from Total Security Solutions
Like the PE Package Passer (See last week’s blog) the Rotary Package Processor is a great option for convenience stores. However, unlike the PE, the Rotary Package Processor is the perfect option for fast food operations, restaurants and gas stations. This type of Package Processor allows many different (and larger) sized items to be passed back and forth between customers and employees. Like the PE, the Rotary Package Processor is only accessible from one side at a time, meaning that there is not breech possibility
The Rotary Package Processor has many features that are available as well, things such as additional locking mechanisms, integral cash tray protective barriers and three different levels of protection. The Rotary Package Passer comes in one standard size (Box OD 18″ W x 20″ H x 14″ D) as well as custom sizes per customer request and is available in three levels of protection.
For more information on Rotary Package Passers including available sizes and levels of protection click here.
The bill originally placed before the New York City Council in 2009 to require banks to install bullet-resistant barriers in all local branches expired on December 31. Councilman Oliver Koppell is preparing, however, to reintroduce the bill to the Council stating, “I’ve been very adamant about passing this bill.”
When it was originally introduced, the bill met strong opposition from the New York State Bankers Association and TD Bank, specifically. “The Police Department said that even though banks without barriers represented only 10 percent of the city’s banks, 53 percent of the bank robberies last year (2008) occurred in those branches.”
The Natural Voice Transmission window is a bullet-resistant transaction window that provides clear voice communication through a secure air passage and is available in a clear anodized or powder coated finish. It incorporates a recessed currency tray and comes in multiple sizes.
The PE Package Passer also uses an interlocking mechanism whereby only one door may be opened at a time, either on the employee or customer side. Designed for moderate to frequent use, the PE Package Passer is built from transparent bullet resistant material and requires little or no maintenance.
If you’re considering installing a bullet-resistant barrier in your facility, but are concerned about interrupting business for the actual installation, you will be happy to learn that Total Security Solutions completes many of its installs after hours, finishing before you open the doors for business in the morning. Your system components are precisely designed and manufactured to ensure proper fitting and a smooth installation.
Oregon’s Multnomah County was awarded a $300,000 federal grant to open a new 1-Stop Domestic Violence Center in February 2010. “The new facility [ . . . ] will have a receptionist behind bullet-proof glass, and a security guard on duty at all times.” It will feature facilities for children and provide a central place for people seeking help.
GKN Aerospace, a UK-based company, was awarded a $425,000 contract by the U.S. Department of Defense to develop “bullet resistant windows that dim instantly with a touch of a button, providing ‘on-demand’ light control, privacy, and protection from heat, glare, and ultraviolet rays.” The initial design will be used in government VIP armored personnel vehicles, but the company hopes to ultimately make their “SmartShade Windows” available to the civilian VIP market.
While New York officials are still contemplating a bill that would require local banks to install bullet proof barriers, one Maryland county is now considering a proposal to require check cashing facilities to limit their hours, install bullet resistant glass and hire guards.
Bullet proof glass may not be an option you need for your vehicle, but for individuals like President Obama, it comes standard. The newest Cadillac Presidential Limousine takes cues from a variety of Cadillac’s vehicle line-up and weighs in “at more than 10,000-lbs. Most of that is due to thick, bullet-proof glass and armor plating throughout. Even the tires are resistant to attack and contain innerliners just in case the outer tires are damaged.”
Bentley is getting in on the security vehicle business with their Continental Flying Spur. For $500,000, it “features military-grade B6-level protection and is fitted with ballistic steel, [ . . . ] bulletproof glass, run flat tires, an explosion-proof gas tank and kevlar flooring.”
Bulletproof glass offers protection to those seeking safety, but sometimes individuals must respond with force and not just hide. The idea of one-way bulletproof glass has been around for some time and improved upon over the years. The objective is to stop bullets from entering from the outside but allow them to exit from the inside. This is commonly used in armored cars to protect passengers while enabling security guards to fire out of the vehicle.
The government used its first armored car in 1941 with President Franklin D. Roosevelt. After fear of a presidential assassination following Roosevelt’s “Infamy Speech,” the Secret Service used Al Capone’s recently confiscated 1928 Cadillac to transport the president. Capone had outfit the vehicle with “3,000 pounds of bulletproof armor beneath the standard body” and painted it to replicate the existing government vehicles. Read more about Al Capone’s bulletproof car and why the government couldn’t afford to purchase its own. (Image on right taken from FederalTimes.com)
One-way bulletproof glass is composed of two layers. The outside layer – on the threat side – is made of a brittle glass and the inside layer is a flexible polycarbonate. A bullet that strikes the brittle external layer first causes the glass to break inward toward the polycarbonate layer. The glass breaking absorbs some of the bullet’s energy by spreading the force over a larger area and the flexible polycarbonate stops the bullet.
Bullets shot from the inside of an armored car are able to penetrate the bulletproof glass because they strike the polycarbonate layer first with more focused energy. The brittle glass layer then breaks outward allowing the bullet to pass through with minor energy loss.
Yesterday, I stumbled across an article relating the increase in pirate attacks on shipping companies to the increase in bank robberies. The article, titled “The Robbery Business” was published on observer-reporter.com and the author was questioning why more banks aren’t taking extra steps, like installing bulletproof glass, to protect themselves against bank robberies.
The author stated, “‘Why wouldn’t shipping companies do more to protect themselves against Somali pirates?’ [ . . . ] it was cheaper for the companies to pay the ransom than to take precautions against kidnapping.” He went on to say, however, that just as the pirates will keep pirating, bank robberies will continue to occur until banks do something to prevent them.
The shipping companies may not be taking precautions to protect against pirates, but some wealthy yacht owners certainly are. As fears rise over the potential for pirate attacks, “hidden chambers, escape pods, tracking devices and ex-marines employed as security guards have all risen in popularity.”
The Bullet Proof Glass industry evolved from a series of accidental discoveries dating back to the 1640s.
The idea of tempered glass was first discovered by Prince Rupert of the Rhine, when he dropped hot molten glass into cold water. The glass rapidly cools but only on the surface, creating a shell for the hotter glass contained inside. As the inside cools, it contracts against the already hardened exterior creating a compressed chamber and making the glass substantially more durable. This lends itself to high impact resistance.
The idea of laminated glass evolved from another accident. This time, by the French chemist Edouard Benedictus in 1903. While working in his lab, Benedictus accidentally dropped a beaker that was coated in plastic cellulose nitrate. He noticed when the beaker hit the ground it cracked, but did not split apart in pieces.
Benedictus went on to register the first safety glass patent in 1909 after bonding a piece of plastic cellulose between two sheets of glass. Using Prince Rupert’s method of immediately chilling the glass, the safety glass becomes much stronger and if it does crack, it will not shatter.
Today, there are two types of bullet resistant glass: solid acrylic or laminated polycarbonate. Solid acrylic is just as its name suggests – a solid sheet of acrylic either 1-1/4” or 1-3/8” thick depending on the level of protection required. Laminated polycarbonate is made by layering polycarbonate, a heavy-duty clear plastic, between two sheets of glass and laminating it all together. It can be ¾”, 1” or 1-1/4” thick depending on the level of protection. While a bullet will pierce the exterior glass layer of laminated polycarbonate, the inner layers absorb the bullet’s energy stopping it from penetrating through the entire piece of glass.
We found it appropriate at this time of year, in honor of Independence Day, to highlight a few interesting facts about the Declaration of Independence. Did you know…
Benjamin Franklin was the oldest signer of the document at age 70.
Steps to preserve the Declaration of Independence were not taken until 1951 when the document was sealed in a bronze, bullet proof glass case at the National Archives in Washington, DC.
Independence Day was not declared a legal holiday until 1944.
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 is necessary. For Robinson, the direct access to Council by the public is a concern. Rules were changed recently so that members of the public are no longer able to access the hallways behind Council chambers.
The escalation in incidents over the past six months has shown a need for increased safety measures, Robinson said.
“I don´t know that state legislators have been threatened with AK-47s, or called racial epithets,” she said after being informed that there is less security in some state buildings. “We have.”
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.
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, said he doesn’t know why the additional security measures weren’t in the initial plans.
”I don’t know, but times have changed” in the post-Sept. 11 world, he said. “We have managed it and we are managing it.”
Richards speculates the idea of community policing and a community-friendly look was more popular before Sept. 11. ”Unfortunately, some people want to make a statement and take the police with them,” Richards said. “We arm our people and put them in bulletproof vests. Why not arm our building?”
Other developments at the Davie Police Department include:
• A partnership with www.nixle.com, where residents can register to receive updates about neighborhood crime, school lockdowns and other Davie Police Department news by e-mail, text or through a website. Residents can complete a free registration at www.nixle.com.
• The Police to Citizen program, which will allow residents to search and retrieve any police reports that are public record and online. This system should be up this summer, Richards said.
• A 7,648-square-foot indoor shooting range is being planned at the headquarters. The $2.6 million project will be paid for with funds seized from drug arrests, Richards said. Officers now train at Markham Park’s shooting range in Sunrise.
”This will actually save taxpayers money,” said Chief Lynn. “We pay $12,000 a year to use the Markham Park range. We won’t have to do that anymore.”
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.
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