The county is spending more than $100,000 on eight of the barriers, available to law enforcement agencies throughout Bexar County.
SAN ANTONIO — Bexar County leaders are investing thousands of dollars in steel barriers that are meant to prevent vehicle attacks.
On Tuesday, Bexar County Commissioners approved the purchase of 8 of the barriers made by Meridian Rapid Defense Group and a trailer. It costs $103,469 and should be in by the start of Fiesta, but not by Final Four weekend.
The company’s president, Eric Alms said each barrier is 700 pounds of American steel.
“They are counter-terrorism barriers,” Alms said.
He said they have proven to help stop attacks. The most recent incident was two years ago at the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. He said a woman drove towards the parade route but was stopped by the barriers and arrested.
Right now, the barriers are being used at SXSW Conference in Austin.
“We developed a product that ultimately is very easy to deploy, yet super strong and does the job of stopping those vehicles in those crowded spaces,” Alms said.
The Bexar County Office of Emergency Management Deputy Chief, Michael Morlan, said the county chose to invest in the barriers following the deadly attack in New Orleans.
He said in front of commissioners, Tuesday, it is a necessary tool considering all of the mass events held in and around Bexar County.
Bexar County officials told KENS 5, it is up to each law enforcement agency to request the barriers.
Caroline Cain with The Battle of Flowers parade, is a fan of the investment.
“This is great news, whatever we can do to make our event safer,” Cain said.
Cain said the association works with SAPD year-long to prepare for the parade which draws a crowd of half a million.
She said right now, she is unsure if SAPD will request the barriers.
“We are always up for new and innovative ways to protect our participants and our spectators,” Cain said.
County leaders said they do plan on purchasing more batches of barriers in the future.
Meanwhile, a public information officer for San Antonio police said they use concrete barriers, water barriers, and police vehicles to help prevent vehicle attacks. They could not say if or how they plan on using the new steel barriers.