SPD offices undergo renovations

Sidney Police Department is renovating its building to feature a more limited waiting space, with a public window and secure doors to the rest of the office.

"There's going to be a window with bullet-resistant glass, reducing the public to this area here only," SPD Chief Joe Aikens, standing in the lobby, said, "and not allowing them access to the records area or the rest of the police department."

The renovations will increase security for the office staff and personnel, Aikens said.

"It's not like it used to be where you can just walk through the front door and go anywhere you want," he said. "Security levels have to be increased and people have to be guarded."

Plans for the renovations began more than a year ago, Aikens said, and construction began about two weeks ago.

"We're hoping to have it fully closed in within the next week," he said Friday. "We're waiting on our public window to come in. It's being manufactured in Houston, and we understand the delay in manufacturing down there."

Concerns for staff and personnel safety were not inspired by any recent events, Aikens said.

"This is protecting my staff, out of concern for their health and safety," he said. "It's just something we've talked about for years, making it more secure in here and safer for people to work."

More than the public waiting space is being renovated.

"We'll be continuing to make some changes throughout the year on other spots on the building," Aikens said. "The squad room and the reception area and interview rooms, they'll be changed a little bit, and we'll be adding a security camera system to the building."

The renovations are welcome, Aikens said.

"I'll enjoy the change," he said. "It's time to get a little bit of facelift on this part of the building."