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Coral Springs will spend up to $100,000 annually on mobile barriers to enhance public safety during local events

Coral Springs, Florida – Coral Springs is taking a big step toward making its public events safer for everyone. On May 21, the City Commission gave the green light for an annual investment of up to $100,000 to purchase mobile vehicle barriers that will help protect pedestrians at local events. The decision is aimed at replacing the current method of using parked city vehicles to block off roads, which officials say is far from ideal.

The initiative comes from the city’s Community Engagement and Emergency Preparedness Department, which requested the funding to better safeguard crowded areas during public gatherings. With these mobile barriers, city staff will now have a more flexible, efficient, and pedestrian-friendly way to secure event spaces and closed roadways.

Unlike traditional barricades or city vehicles, the mobile barriers offer several advantages. For one, they are not anchored to the ground, which means they can be quickly set up and taken down. This not only makes it easier to open streets back up after events, but also allows emergency vehicles to access the area if needed without delay.

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“This ‘Drop and Stop’ anti-ram portable vehicle barrier protects people and critical infrastructure by stopping unauthorized vehicle access,” states the product description on the manufacturer’s website. “Ideal for entry points, roadways, construction sites, and public events, it is easy to deploy in under 10 minutes.”

The new barriers will be purchased from Meridian Rapid Defense Group, LLC, a company based in Pasadena, California. Their Archer 1200 Mobile Barrier is designed specifically for what’s known as “hostile vehicle mitigation”—essentially, stopping vehicles from entering areas where they shouldn’t be, whether it’s intentional or not.

To help with transporting the barriers to and from event sites, the city will also purchase a specially designed trailer. This ensures that the barriers can be easily moved as needed and deployed quickly in various parts of Coral Springs.

Funding for the purchase comes from a federal grant awarded through the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), which is managed by the City of Miami. The program is part of a broader homeland security strategy that supports cities in preparing for and responding to threats, including those involving vehicles used as potential weapons.

The contract approved by the commission sets an annual spending cap of $100,000, ensuring that the city remains within budget while continuing to prioritize public safety.

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Currently, Coral Springs uses its own city vehicles—like trucks and vans—to block off streets during events. While this method has worked in the past, officials say it limits pedestrian access and doesn’t offer the same level of safety or flexibility as dedicated mobile barriers. With the new system, event attendees will be able to move more freely while still being protected from traffic.

City leaders believe the investment is a smart and necessary move in a time when public safety has never been more important.

By taking proactive steps like this, Coral Springs is showing that it’s serious about protecting its residents and visitors while maintaining the welcoming atmosphere that city events are known for. With the new mobile barriers expected to be in place soon, pedestrians will have one more reason to feel safe while enjoying everything the city has to offer.

 

Lowell Bowen

From the time he was 8 years old Lowell knew he wanted to be on TV. Well, as people say one thing leads to another, that's how Lowell started his career in the news industry. Lowell has been part of The South Florida Daily since the very beginning.

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