From the Office of U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski:
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), Vice Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Subcommittee, which funds the Department of Justice (DOJ), today announced that law enforcement agencies in Maryland will receive $142,594 for the purchase of bulletproof vests.
“Police protect our homes and communities, and the federal government has a responsibility to protect them by providing them with the tools they need to do their jobs safer and smarter,” Senator Mikulski said. “Every day when our first responders report for duty, they don’t know what they will face. These funds in the federal checkbook will help protect our protectors when they put their lives on the line to keep us safe. I will continue to fight for the equipment, training and staffing our protectors and communities deserve.”
The grants are awarded through the DOJ’s Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) program within the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). In Maryland, 28 different jurisdictions are receiving these funds to support the purchase of 368 new bulletproof vests. Nationally, BJA is awarding $18.2 million to nearly 4,000 jurisdictions to help purchase 49,000 vests.
The BVP is a critical resource for state and local jurisdictions that saves lives. Since 1999 it has awarded a total of $393 million in federal funds to more than 13,000 jurisdictions for the purchase of over one million vests (1,197,348 as of December 2014). Based on data collected and recorded by BJA staff, in fiscal year (FY) 2012, protective vests were directly attributable to saving the lives of at least 33 law enforcement and corrections officers in 20 different states – an increase of 13.7 percent over FY 2011.
Maryland BVP awards by jurisdiction:
Police lives matter.
I certainly believe that all police officers need to have and wear a protective vest, however, I am puzzled by the difference in vest cost for the various agencies receiving the funds.
According to the above table, Salisbury City gets 32 vests for $15, 708.03, but Calvert County can somehow get 45 vests for $13,600.13. St. Michaels Town gets 3 vests for $1,154.61, while Hurlock Town can get 3 vests for a mere $805.54.
Why so much difference in the costs of vests when being purchased through identical procurement programs? Hurlock Town can get vests for $268.51 each but Havre de Grace City is paying a whopping $510.57 per vest. What gives here?
All of the agencies should contact Hurlock City and get some lessons on how to effectively run their procurement process.
Vests are rated and sold based on their capability. Concealable soft armor rated for pistol bullets (like most officers wear under their shirt) is much cheaper than armor with ballistic plates (for rifle bullets), groin and shoulder protection (SWAT team).
Why did the Harford Sheriff not apply for this federal money? I guess they would rather have local tax money used to pay for it????
While I am not certain, I believe the HCSO has received in the past federal monies to purchase vests for deputies. You may be limited in how often you can apply and receive monies in support of the vest program.
Have you ever seen the Havre de Grace Police Officers. You always pay more for the larger sizes.
Not all of them.
Lowest bidder…
No thanks, I will spend my money on a better vest than grants would provide.
All lives matter.
Well, except the Kardashians.
That’s just silly. The vests have to meet certain standards, so it’s not necessarily true that a more expensive vest would provide any more protection.
Not really that silly. The grants will probably pay for an NIJ Level II Vest, while many officers who work in remote locations prefer at Level IIIa for daily use, while keeping the heavier / plated armor in an external vest…
Yes, personal safety is completely silly.
It appears that all of the counties are preparing for the acquittal of the Baltimore City Police officers.
Federal assistance to purchase protective vests has been around for several years and is an ongoing program.
With regard to your comment. Yes, everyone should be preparing for a change of venue and possible acquittal of the officers.
Well…..what a.m Aberdump?
One vest for Landover Hills? C’mon!
Great, now all we need is protection from them.?