The current political climate in the U.S. is not a friendly one. Groups and individuals are more divided than ever on a wide array of issues. This has led to a lot of anger among people from all ends of the political spectrum.
Aside from hurling insults on social media and protesting in the streets, much of this anger is often directed at government officials. There are certainly productive ways for citizens to make their voices heard by their representatives at all levels of government. So these officials and their teams need to offer avenues for people to visit and communicate with them. However, there are also those rare individuals who are not interested in having productive or civil conversations. Some may even be inclined to use violence to make a point or express their frustration with an individual or issue.
This has led to increased concerns among federal, state, and local governments about the safety of representatives, their support staff, and peaceful visitors at government facilities. Some have even started looking into adding bullet resistant protection for government buildings to keep individuals safe. These solutions can be customized to the needs of each building. So they can work for all levels of government, from local municipal buildings to large federal structures.
If you’re interested in learning more about bullet resistant protection for government buildings and the different options available, here’s a quick guide.
Government Safe Rooms
The current political climate has made it increasingly necessary for various government facilities to add bullet resistant safe rooms to protect officials, support staff, and other personnel from potentially violent incidents. These structures are constructed inside of buildings to provide a protective area that individuals can retreat to when needed. The sides, doors, and windows are constructed using bullet resistant glass and reinforced materials that have been tested to withstand a certain level of ballistic impact.
The idea behind these added structures is that it would give workers and others in the building a safe place with extra protection in the case of an attack or violent incident on or near the premises. Even if an intruder were to locate such a safe room, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to breach the openings. And it would take significantly more time for them to do so, giving first responders more time to make it to the scene and provide the necessary assistance. Most government officials hope to never actually use this type of structure. But having it as an option can provide peace of mind to all those who work or visit government buildings.
Bullet Resistant Counters for Offices
In addition, government and municipal offices can greatly benefit from increased security and protection in the common areas or spaces that visitors and members of the public have access to. For example, many government offices have counters where residents can come to pay municipal bills, ask questions, or raise concerns about various issues or policies. In these spaces, bullet resistant glass systems installed over the countertop can provide an extra layer of protection for those working behind the counter. Though most visitors are unlikely to actually escalate their concerns into violent acts, these measures can offer peace of mind to those in public-facing positions and, in some cases, prevent issues from arising in the first place.
Though no material is 100 percent “bullet proof,” meaning all materials can eventually be penetrated with enough time and ballistic impact, these countertop systems provide significantly more protection than an open space or even traditional glass. They’re constructed using reinforced materials that do not shatter immediately upon impact, even when exposed to a certain level of ballistics.
Even just having these materials in place can discourage an armed intruder from executing a violent act in the first place. Knowing that a building has physical security measures shows members of the public that you take safety seriously and that it won’t be easy to break in or cause harm to government workers or officials. This can make people think twice about making a particular building into a target and sometimes deter crime before it starts.
Even if a violent incident does occur at a government building, these systems can provide extra time for those inside to get away safely and for first responders to arrive on scene before any real damage is done. The idea is that bullet resistant protection for government facilities is significantly harder to breach, either with ballistics or other forced entry threats. Since it doesn’t shatter immediately upon impact, it can at least delay the intruder until assistance arrives, making it less likely for anyone to be actually harmed in the process.
When considering bullet resistant protection for government facilities, it’s important to consider your own building’s specific needs, challenges, and design elements. Some facilities may prefer just using either safe rooms or countertop systems. Others may use a combination of various protection options. A quality architectural security provider can help you customize protective systems for your specific facility.
If you’re interested in learning more about bullet resistant protection for government buildings, contact Insulgard to discuss your options. We offer a wide array of protective solutions designed for government facilities, and community centers, and even private businesses. Our products are designed and tested by Underwriters Laboratories to ensure the highest levels of quality against ballistic and forced entry threats. And our team can work with you to customize solutions to your specific facility. When you’re ready to discuss bullet resistant protection for government buildings or other facilities, visit our website to reach out to our knowledgeable team.
