During a time when it seems like public displays of violence across the country are becoming more commonplace, the city of Ringgold has begun taking steps to improve safety measures at city hall.
Ringgold officials are considering the installation of bullet-resistant glass at the front administration office of city hall, where citizens frequently stop in to ask questions or pay bills and fines. But the safety feature comes at a steeper price than the city was originally hoping – more than $40,000, according to a preliminary estimate from KCP Architects, based in Rossville.
City council members unanimously voted at the Jan. 22 council meeting to move ahead with the bidding process anyway.
Vice Mayor Terry Crawford said this topic has been on his mind for some time, making a reference to the mass shootings he sees being covered on the news. Although Ringgold is a small city, it is not immune to such violence, Crawford said.
“Those ladies that we have working in there, I’ve talked to all of them and they are scared to death sometimes with all these people walking in,” Crawford said at the meeting. “And if this money spent saves one life or injury, it’s the best money we can spend anywhere. That’s my opinion.”