Structures related to law enforcement have faced increased threats in recent years across the country and that’s one reason that the Guilford County jail in downtown Greensboro is adding a new line of protection, putting in concrete barriers to keep threats to the jail and the people inside at a distance.
“The bollards would prevent anyone from driving through the entrance,” said Bria Evans, the spokeswoman for the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department, the department that oversees and runs the county’s two jails. “They are concrete pillars to serve as a preventative measure.”
In a request for proposals sent out on Wednesday, Jan. 17, the Guilford County Purchasing Department announced the plans to install the six bollards – solid post or pillars – at the entrance of the Guilford County jail at 201 S. Edgeworth St. in downtown Greensboro. Those structures will prevent anyone from, say, driving through the entrance with a car full of explosives or standing by for a getaway in a jail break – as well as avoiding other threats to law enforcement officers and others at the jail in Greensboro.
Guilford County is accepting bids for the project at the county’s Greene Street Building, at 201 S. Greene St. – Suite 072 – in Greensboro, until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6.
A non-mandatory pre-proposal ZoomGov meeting is being held by the county on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 10 a.m.
A non-mandatory site walkthrough will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 1 p.m.
Those interested should plan to meet outside the front entrance of the jail at that time.
Bidding documents, drawing, and specifications are available for viewing on Guilford County’s Vendor Self Service automated bidding system at https://guilfordcountync.munisselfservice.com.
Respondents and subcontractors must be licensed in North Carolina to perform the required work.
Guilford County always attempts to get as much participation for minority-owned and women-owned businesses as possible, and this project is no exception.
Not many people know this BUT the way the jail was built next to the road for example the jail was built poorly so if that inmate knows where his cell is he can go into the day room and have conversations with just anyone on the street or even co-defendant or family… it’s really BS. It’s common knowledge. It’s normal to be outside and hear folks on the street talk to inmates…
You are absolutely right. I served as a detention officer there and the conversations to “the outside” were common when the recreation area was open to them.
On another note, is there an update on the status of Ms. Evans arrest for DWI ? I would think that has been adjudicated by now, but haven’t seen anything.
Question? How many attempts have there been on the jail in current years?
They have been working on the outside of the jail for many weeks, apparently removing the lattice gratings over the windows. I am quite surprised that you all haven’t reported on this.
Be sure to bring your EDI certification card.
For those bidding, be sure to check with Chairman Skip first. You don’t want to get halfway into the job and then have your contract terminated due to a MWBE dispute.
You are right Ken. And apparently, they haven’t resolved that issue concerning demolition of the old jail. That continues to cost taxpayers more money.
Ken it wasn’t a mwbe dispute it was because someone called skip out on his RACIST bullsh$$.
Why does the City Jail need protection? Expecting a break-out? Attack of the street people? Certainly all these cure violence, shelters, & govt asst stuff have worked to lower violence?
No? Just hire more police would work fer sure, and employ a few people.