U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand announced Wednesday that they have secured $635,012.90 for law enforcement entities across Upstate New York from the U.S Department of Justice's Bulletproof Vest Partnership, a program Schumer co-sponsored that splits the cost of new body armor with localities. This will provide enough funding for 2,811 vests. Among those receiving funding are four local municipalities and Cattaraugus County.
"The bottom line is that bullet proof vests save cops' lives and it is worth every penny of federal help to make sure cops on the beat have access to the very best equipment we have to offer. This critical funding will ensure that the police officers across Upstate New York who risk their lives every day are equipped with the resources necessary to protect themselves as they protect us," said Schumer. "Over 2,800 bulletproof vests will be provided to communities all throughout Upstate New York which will keep these law enforcement officials safe while they are protecting our communities."
Sen. Gillibrand says it is the state's job to help keep our first responders safe.
"Our law enforcement risk their lives each day to keep our communities safe," Gillibrand said. "It is our job to make sure that when they go into harm's way to fight crime, they have the right equipment to keep them safe. That's what this investment will do - by providing law enforcement all across New York State with new bulletproof vests that can help save more lives."
Here is the breakdown across Upstate New York:
Town of Brant - $1,800 (4 vests)
Cattaraugus County - $6,764 (19 vests)
City of Dunkirk - $3,407.50 (10 vests)
Village of Silver Creek - $1,750 (4 vests)
Westfield Village - $3,850 (11 vests)
This funding was authorized by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership created by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998. This initiative was designed to provide bulletproof vests to state and local law enforcement. Since 1999, the program has provided $277 million in federal funds and approximately 800,000 vests throughout the country.
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