Wake County fortifies government buildings with bulletproof glass after riots, shooting in downtown Raleigh
Wake County leaders said the repairs were needed following destructive protests and riots in May 2020.
Posted — UpdatedWake County said the repairs were needed following destructive protests and riots in May 2020 that resulted in broken windows and other vandalism, including paint poured on the Public Safety Center.
There were 178 buildings damaged during two days of riots, according to Raleigh city leaders.
“With the current climate of attacks on government, we need to be prepared and ready for the ‘what if’ and it starts with fortifying our location,” said Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe. “We have to be prepared to address any threats that will come our way and keep our staff and visitors and anyone coming to the Wake County complexes safe.”
Wake County awarded HITT Contracting, Inc. with two contracts totaling $4 million:
- A $1.3 million repair project at the Public Safety Center included the installation of ballistic-grade glass windows, anti-graffiti coating on the walls, repairs to the front arch, pressure washing and cleaning.
- A $2.7 million project at the Wake County Courthouse included bulletproof glass on the street level entrances, facade improvements and a $500,000 renovation of the front plaza facing Fayetteville Street.
Rowe called it “a miracle” that no one was shot when the bullets started flying in October 2020. He said the extra layers of protection will keep employees and visitors safe in the years ahead.
“We are utilizing every tool possible to keep Wake County safe and make it even safer,” Rowe said.
Willie Hayes Jr., of Cary, was sentenced in January to 15 years in federal prison for firing shots into the Public Safety Center.
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