Critz: Grants for Bulletproof Vests Awarded to Local Police Departments

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- Congressman Mark S. Critz (PA-12) announced today that communities throughout the 12th Congressional District will receive federal grants for the purchase of bulletproof vests for law enforcement personnel.  These grants are being provided by the U.S. Department of Justice under the Bulletproof Vest Partnership program.

“While overall violent crime has decreased across the country, there has been an alarming rise in the number of police officers killed in the line of duty,” said Congressman Critz, noting that in 2011, 72 officers were killed by perpetrators, a 25 percent increase from the previous year and a 75 percent increase from 2008.  “Our law enforcement officials work tirelessly and selflessly to keep our communities safe, and we must do all that we can to ensure their own personal safety.”

The following Counties and communities in the 12th Congressional District will receive a 2012 Bulletproof Vest Partnership grant:

Allegheny County - $7,938 for the purchase of 128 vests

Avonmore Borough - $700 for the purchase of 2 vests

Beallsville Borough - $350 for the purchase of 1 vest

Cambria County - $2,569.34 for the purchase of 37 vests

Chartiers Township - $4,125 for the purchase of 11 vests

Leechburg Borough - $3,000 for the purchase of 6 vests

North Strabane Township - $800 for the purchase of 2 vests

Parks Township - $1,312.50 for the purchase of 3 vests

South Strabane Township - $2,805 for the purchase of 6 vests

West Brownsville Borough - $1,750 for the purchase of 5 vests

West Leechburg Borough - $1,400 for the purchase of 4 vests

The Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP), created by an act of Congress in 1998, is a unique U.S. Department of Justice initiative designed to provide a critical resource to state and local law enforcement.  Since 1999, over 13,000 jurisdictions have participated in the BVP Program, with $277 million in federal funds committed to support the purchase of an estimated 800,000 vests.