The city of Arnold will spend nearly $138,000 to make employees safer.
Arnold officials have agreed to have bullet-resistant walls installed around the reception windows at the Police Station and City Hall. They also will have bullet-resistant walls and glass installed at the reception windows at the Public Works and Animal Control departments.
City Council members voted unanimously Nov. 7 to award a $137,827.50 contract to Huffman Security Company Inc. of Arnold to complete the project.
Public Works Director Judy Wagner said Huffman submitted the only bid for the work.
Wagner said she expects the installation to begin Feb. 24, with completion at the end of May.
She said no threats or incidents occurred that spurred the city to install the bullet-resistant walls and windows in the four areas.
However, Wagner said she has wanted to see the bullet-resistant materials installed for some time.
“It has been due,” she said. “We just don’t know what is out there.
“We have locks to keep people out of the employee workstations, but some of our employees work in front of these public windows. We just want to protect our employees from any erratic behavior from anyone.”
Wagner said none of the reception window walls at the Police Station, City Hall, Public Works or Animal Control departments are bullet resistant, but the windows at the Police Station and City Hall are bullet resistant.
According to council documents, the cost to install the bullet-resistant walls at the Police Station and City Hall complex at 2101 Jeffco Blvd., is $58,128.75. The city will pay another $28,695 for the bullet-resistant wall and glass at Animal Control and $51,003.75 for the bullet-resistant walls and glass at Public Works.
The Animal Control and Public Works buildings are at 2912 Arnold Tenbrook Road.
Wagner said residents use the reception windows at the Police Station and City Hall the most, adding that the number of people who come to the reception windows is sporadic depending on the time of year.
“At Public Works, we can get up to a dozen visitors a day, or there could be none,” she said. “When people need driveway permits or other permits, they come to Public Works. When the stormwater bills are due, the clerk (at City Hall) sees a lot more. It all depends.”
Wagner said employees have brought up the potential need for bullet-resistant walls and windows a few times, typically after an intense encounter with a customer or resident.
“It provides some peace of mind for our employees,” she said. “Hopefully, they will never be used. We just want to protect our employees the best we can.”