Baltimore to Improve Safety of Police Vans After Freddie Gray's Death

BALTIMORE (AP) - Baltimore officials have approved spending $200,000 for equipment police say will improve the safety of the department's vans.
 
The Board of Estimates voted Wednesday to authorize the funds for new compartments in 13 existing vans and 10 more the police department is purchasing.
 
The issue of safety in police transport vans gained wide attention after the death of Freddie Gray a week after his neck was broken during a van ride.
 
The new design aims to create more space and includes seats accessible from the side of the van. It also adds bumpers on seats to keep prisoners from sliding and straps prisoners can hang onto to while handcuffed.