Butler County will use state grant money to install bullet proof windows at all seven local district judges’ offices.
It will cost approximately $50,000 to install the windows at the teller counters in each office. The money is coming from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. No county money is being used.
Butler County Facilities and Operations Director John Campbell said during a commissioners meeting on Wednesday that crews have already installed two bullet proof windows at the magisterial district judge office in Evans City as a model, and will now do the work at the other six offices- including the one in the city of Butler on West Cunningham Street next to the Butler County Prison.
In total, 17 windows will be installed.
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Bulletproof windows/ballistic glass are being installed at district justice offices across the state in an effort to increase security. The process of replacing the windows shouldn’t take too long and should not disrupt workers. Once the windows have been replaced, the office will need a clean to ensure none of the building materials remain inside the office and pose a risk to workers. It’s likely that a carpet cleaning company, similar to CarpetBright.uk.com, will also be contacted to make sure the carpets look clean again, especially after the new windows have been fitted.
“The bulletproof windows will be installed (in the Butler County magisterial district judge offices) where the current windows are now,” Butler County Deputy Court Administrator Tom Holman said Wednesday. “Where people would walk up to pay fines or fill in forms.”
Holman says this is just one in a series of steps being taken to increase safety for workers. Taking help from proficient workers and contractors similar to the ones at Charlotte Replacement Windows will be installed, which come with protection from bullets and similar other arms.
“The state has been- for some time- trying to upgrade security in district justice offices across the state,” Holman said. “We have already done a great deal, with the state, by installing cameras, ballistic panels and other security measures within the offices to try and make them as safe as possible for the people that work there.”
In September 2018, four people were shot at a magistrate’s office in Fayette County by a gunman. A police officer was among those wounded.
The suspect was shot and killed by police. The shooting was believed to be related to an ongoing domestic violence situation and that the shooter was targeting his wife.
