Milwaukee looks to make police buildings safer, considers metal detectors and bulletproof glass for all districts
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Some Milwaukee alderpersons are raising concerns about the safety of police stations and other Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) buildings.
It comes a few weeks after a man walked into the District 5 lobby and fired a gun at MPD personnel.
Alderwoman Milele Coggs represents District 5. Coggs says she continues to receive calls from residents and MPD staff who are concerned about their safety.
"Concerned for their own safety and their ability to access everything from getting stickers for their car to going in to file a complaint at the police department, worrying about the safety in the office," said Ald. Coggs.
At Thursday's Public Safety Committee meeting, Coggs asked MPD's chief of staff about what the department is doing now to ensure the safety of visitors and staff members.
"We immediately provided access to bulletproof vests to individuals who work there, to give them all access to that, and then we looked at updating the glass," said DeSiato.
DeSiato says departments currently have glass to protect staff for COVID precautions. Now, they're looking to make sure it's bulletproof.
Metal detectors were also discussed as a way to keep residents safe. Currently there's only one police building in the district that requires people walk through a metal detector.
All of the solutions presented are being considered for all police buildings, not just District 5.
"We have to use everything in our toolbox. People might not like that, but you know, we do it at the MPS high schools, metal detectors," said Alderman Mark Borowski of District 11. "Unfortunately, it's here to stay and that's the way of society right now."
Borowski is on the Public Safety Committee board. He said safety is a priority in police buildings, and when the time comes, he'll support putting money towards things like bulletproof glass and metal detectors in police buildings.