All 7 Milwaukee police districts will have bullet-resistant glass by mid-July

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Security measures are coming to police stations across Milwaukee to add an extra layer of protection for police personnel working in stations. 

On Monday, June 13 bullet-resistant glass was installed in the lobby of district 5. 

The 1 1/4-inch thick glass goes all the way up to the ceiling. A call for safer police stations came from city leaders and community members after a man walked into district 5 earlier this year and opened fire on officers. The man was retaliating the death of Keishon Thomas, who died in police custody a week earlier. 

"This incident was very traumatic to our employees," said assistant police chief Steven Johnson. 

Police officials began looking for a solution immediately. 

"The importance of this was to have it in place as quickly as possible," said Milwaukee Police Foundation president Mark McClain. 

People will soon be greeted with the glass at all seven stations across the city. They hope to have all of the glass installed by mid-July. 

"Quite sure they feel a sense of added security here, but one thing about law enforcement is you're never 100 percent secure," said Johnson. 

When asked if they have plans to add other safety measures like metal detectors or a buzzer system at stations, Johnson said they evaluate each station based on a need, but no plans were announced. 

The total cost of the installations came to $261,800, and it was completely funded by donations from community groups like the Milwaukee Police Department Foundation, the Abele family and others.