MPD Begins Installation of Bullet Resistant Glass at District Stations

MILWAUKEE, WI – On Friday, February 25, 2022, an armed individual entered the Milwaukee Police Department’s District Five lobby located at 2920 Vel R. Phillips Avenue and fired several shots at MPD staff inside the station. At the time, there were several community members inside the lobby. The suspect was arrested and is facing several criminal charges

In the aftermath of that incident, the Milwaukee Police Department identified areas of concern of the physical security at the district stations. MPD explored options to improve its police district station safety by examining national best practices, surveying its employees, and reaching out to community members and elected officials. Based on feedback and overwhelming community support, ballistic/bullet resistant glass was identified as a solution.

On Monday, June 13, 2022, the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) began the installation of bullet resistant glass at District Five which will be the first of seven districts to have ballistic/bullet resistant glass installed. The cost of the project was $261,800 and was completely fund by generous donations. The project is expected to be completed in early July 2022.

“The safety of all our employees and public is one of our main priorities. I am extremely thankful for the support of all the donations that were received from the Milwaukee Police Foundation, Former County Executive Chris Abele, Phoenix Investors and Klein Development to fund this project. The Milwaukee Police Department is committed to working with our community and system partners to build sustainable neighborhoods free of crime that are built on positive relationships. We are better together,” said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman.

“I appreciate the generous people behind this effort,” Mayor Cavalier Johnson said. “The safety of our police and our civilian employees is important.  This is a step forward in protecting our workers.”

“The Foundation is grateful for those public-private partnerships—the MPD and Common Council, along with Phoenix Investors, the Abele and Klein families, and their businesses—for showing how solutions to violence really do come from right here in the community,” said Mark McClain, President of the Milwaukee Police Foundation.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.