Several law enforcement agencies in our area are recipients of federal funds to help them purchase body armor vests. The Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program, through the US Department of Justice, recently awarded $460,810.27 to law enforcement agencies in Eastern North Carolina to reimburse them up to 50 percent of the cost of new body armor vests.
Local agencies to receive funding include:
Clayton Police Department $3,922.39
Dunn Police Department $3,923.72
Four Oaks Police Department $1,518.98
Garner Police Department $4,635.00
Goldsboro Police Department $21,107.22
Knightdale Police Department $3,327.86
Pine Level Police Department $1,742.05
Sampson County Sheriff’s Office $3,502.76
Smithfield Police Department $4,367.02
Wendell Police Department $6,247.76
Wilson Police Department $9,786.54
Wilson County Sheriff’s Office $7,315.68
Zebulon Police Department $2,566.42
“We are pleased to work with the US Justice Department on the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program as it helps offset some of the local taxpayer dollars to provide our officers with a ballistic vest to wear while on duty,” Smithfield Police Chief Keith Powell said. “This program is contingent on the availability of Federal Funds and is not always guaranteed. However, we have been fortunate to receive some of the funds back, those funds are then placed back into the towns General Fund.”
“The importance of protecting those who protect us cannot be overstated,” said United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr.. “The Department of Justice continues to demonstrate this through programs like these that provide funding for both the physical and emotional well-being of our brave men and women who protect us all every day.”
