Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., has blocked reauthorization of the 15-year-old Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant that has supplied 1M vests to officers
WASHINGTON — A program that has supplied more than 1 million bulletproof vests to police departments around the country is facing a holdup on Capitol Hill.
Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., has blocked reauthorization of the 15-year-old Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant, arguing that the federal government has "no role" in funding local police departments.
But Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and author of the program, said at a hearing Wednesday that "the law enforcement community has spoken with a single voice on this issue. They understand the unfortunate reality that life-saving vests can be extremely expensive, particularly for smaller jurisdictions, and that they can wear out too soon."
Local police officials testified that the vests, which on average cost between $800 and $1,000 apiece, can be life-saving tools in a dangerous job.
Ann Carrizales, an officer with the police department in Stafford, Texas, was shot in the face and chest during a routine traffic stop last October.
"I remember the muzzle flash, looking directly at the weapon and taking a mental note of its caliber, and then there were his eyes," Carrizales told the senators Wednesday. "I will never forget his eyes."
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3 comments:
"Ann Carrizales, an officer with the police department in Stafford, Texas, was shot in the face and chest during a routine traffic stop last October."
Another article with a stupid example supposedly trying to make the point for the article. If the officer was shot in the face the vest wouldn't have helped. If the officer was making a routine traffic stop chances are she wouldn't have been wearing a vest. Couldn't the author of this article have found a better example to illustrate their point. Typical liberal media BS.
$800-1000? I guarantee you $600-700 (per vest) is either WASTED, or kicked back to supporters of the grants (Dems).
Mil spec vests, full armor from ears to hips, including full arms... I can get for under $125, all day, every day. And I trust my life to it.
This is just more waste being called out, while the supporters don't want their gravy train to go away.
#1 - Majority of patrol cops are wearing their protective vests at all times while in uniform. In fact I challenge you to find a cop on patrol not wearing a vest. Routine traffic stops, shoplifters, domestic problems, most cops always wear them.
#2 - I spent a large amount of time in the military. Military equipment is very expensive. If the military equipment you're referring to is a flak vest it is much cheaper than a police officers bulletproof vest but a flak jacket doesn't stop bullets. Flak jackets stop shrapnel. Military bulletproof armor is expensive, big and bulky, and definitely not suitable for patrol officers.
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