Oakland Experiences Surge in Requests for Bullet-Resistant Glass

Bullet-resistant glass is in high demand in Oakland.

According to a report by ABC7 News, Oakland-based East Bay Glass has seen a substantial increase in customers requesting bullet-resistant glass due to rising crime rates. Oakland police report that violent crime increased by 21% between 2022 and 2023.

East Bay’s general manager, Joshua Pratchard, told ABC7 that while the need for bullet-resistant glass is high, it’s tough to stock because of inflated costs.

“It’s roughly $100 to $120 a square foot,” he said. “There’s glass that goes up to $350 a square foot. That is not with the installation.”

Pratchard adds that while smaller companies struggle to afford the glass, there has been increased interest from local school districts and government organizations.

“It’s good for business, but it’s not the kind of business you’re happy to take on,” he said. “It’s sad.”

Armitek officials, which supply bullet-resistant glass to East Bay, explained that ballistic films could be an affordable alternative but are not as effective as bullet-resistant glass.

In July 2023, USGlass magazine reached out to several experts in the bullet-resistant glass field, who agreed with Armitek. Gerry Sagerman, sales development for Insulgard Products, said, “There’s not a film out there that I am aware of that is truly bullet resistant; I’m talking about a film that is added to a standard piece of glass, I should say. That’s our concern because there’s much misinformation out there.”

East Bay is a fabricator and installer of windows and doors throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.