Butler County workers Ben Fallecker, left, and Jerry Barnhart remove old panels from the front counter at the office of District Judge William Fullerton in Butler. The office is being fitted with ballistic panels as part of the county's move to strengthen security at the seven district judge offices. The installation of the panels are being funded by a state grant.

District judge offices in Butler County are getting beefed up security with the installation of ballistic panels. Bullet-resistant glass is to be installed later.

“It’s sad that it’s necessary to take these steps, but it’s what we need to do to protect our employees,” said Tom Holman, Butler County’s deputy court administrator.

County workers Monday were at the office of District Judge William Fullerton in Butler to begin work to install the bullet-resistant panels at the front counter. Panels are also being installed on the judge’s bench in the courtroom.

The office of District Judge Wayne Seibel in Evans City underwent a similar renovation last month.

Later, Holman said, the county’s other five district judge offices will be fitted with the ballistic panels.

This is an excerpt — find out why the project is happening and where the money is coming from in Thursday’s Butler Eagle or subscribe online.