Schumer: More Than $1.3 Million Coming To Local Police Departments For New Bulletproof Vests

US Senator Charles E. Schumer announced today that police departments across New York State have secured more than $1.3 million from the US Department of Justice's Bulletproof Vest Partnership, a program Schumer cosponsored that splits the cost of new body armor with localities. Over the last year, Schumer had repeatedly reached out to police departments statewide, urging them to apply for these funds and guiding them through application process.

"This funding will ensure that the men and women who put their lives on the line every day are equipped with the gear they need to protect themselves," said Schumer. "With these new bulletproof vests, officers and other law enforcement officials across the state can feel safe while they're out on the beat keeping our communities safe."

Today's funding was authorized under the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program, which provides law enforcement agencies across the nation with matching grants to purchase bulletproof vests. Under the program, approved applications will receive up to 50% off their total vest costs. Schumer cosponsored the bipartisan legislation authorizing the program.

Competition for the grants was particularly fierce this year because many police departments in New York and across the nation are concerned that the vests their officers currently wear become less effective over time. In March, the Department of Justice study released the preliminary results of a study indicating that there may be degradation in the ballistic performance of used Zylonbased armors. This examination is the result of at least three incidents during 2003 in which body armor appeared to have failed to prevent a bullet penetration.