Title
Consideration of and action on the application submission and approving the acceptance of a grant through the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act.
Body
The Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act helps law enforcement agencies improve the safety of officers through the acquisition of body armor. The program pays up to 50% of the total cost of approved vest purchases. Currently, more than 1,600 vests makes and models meet the standards for grant coverage. We expect to recover $7,012.50 in the 2019/2020 budget.
Summary:
The Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP), created by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998 is a unique United States Department of Justice initiative designed to provide a critical resource to state and local law enforcement.
Since 1999, the BVP program has reimbursed more than 13,000 jurisdictions, a total of $447 million in federal funds for the purchase of over one million vests (1,312,281). BVP is a critical resource for state and local jurisdictions that saves lives. Based on data collected and recorded by BJA staff, in 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 13.7% over FY 2011. At least 13 of those life-saving vests had been purchased, in part, with BVP funds. The Office of Justice Programs' Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) administers the BVP Program.
The Police Department will be applying for seventeen (17) pieces of body armor next year.
Fiscal/Budgetary Impact:
Funds granted by the Department of Justice will reduce the cost of purchasing Police body armor by 50%. The total cost of purchasing Seventeen vests is $14,025.00 The City of Deer Park will incur a total cost of $7,012.50.
Recommended Action
Recommend City Council approval for the Police Department to apply for and accept a grant through the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act.