Washington, DC (October 16, 2006) – Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded various communities with grants for the purchase of bullet proof vests for law enforcement officers.
“It is imperative that our communities have the necessary resources to ensure that our law enforcement agents can do their jobs effectively and that our streets stay safe,” said Congressman Hinojosa. “This funding will guarantee that these jurisdictions have the equipment they need to patrol our communities and keep crime rates down.”
The following communities received funding under the grant program:
• Alamo City -- $2,443.50 for 27 vests
• Alice -- $13,660.00 for 39 vests
• Beeville -- $6,026.00 for 23 vests
• Cuero -- $2,372.51 for 7 vests
• Donna -- $4,896.00 for 24 vests
• Edinburg -- $4,550.00 for 13 vests
• Elgin -- $4,800.00 for 16 vests
• Elsa -- $700.00 for 2 vests
• Fayette County -- $1,597.00 for 5 vests
• Hallettsville -- $1,437.50 for 5 vests
• Harlingen -- $2,800.00 for 10 vests
• Jim Wells County -- $7,760.61 for 26 vests
• La Feria -- $698.50 for 3 vests
• La Grange -- $1,464.50 for 4 vests
• McAllen -- $5,902.04 for 100 vests
The Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP), created by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998, is an initiative designed to provide a critical resource to state and local law enforcement.
Since 1999, over 11,900 jurisdictions have participated in the BVP Program, with $173 million in federal funds committed to support the purchase of an estimated 450,000 vests. The Office of Justice Programs' Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) administers the BVP Program.