Courtney: Enfield, Vernon, Glastonbury and Suffield PDs Getting Grant Funds for Vests

The police departments of four area towns are slated to receive federal grant money to offset the purchase of bullet-proof vests.

U.S. Rep Joseph Courtney made the announcement on Wednesday. The second district Democrat, who hails from Vernon, said nine towns in the eastern half of the state secured $46,589 from the U.S. Department of Justice to offset the cost of bulletproof vests.

Courtney said the grant, administered through the Bulletproof Vest Partnership, created by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998, reimburses police departments for half the cost of vests that have been purchased.

In north central Connecticut, Enfield was the big winner, earmarked for $21,924 for 58 Vests, Courtney said.

Glastonbury is set to receive $4,260 for a dozen vests, Courtney said.

Suffield is on tap for $1,711 for five vests and Vernon is to receive $1,750 for four vests, Courtney said.

“This funding is a significant boost not just to our towns’ bottom lines, but also to the men and women of our police force and eastern Connecticut in general,” Courtney said. “Ensuring that our first responders have the best equipment keeps them safe in the line of duty and helps them keep the rest of us safe in the process. This program encourages police departments to take action proactively, and repays them for their initiative in response.”

Since 1999, more than 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, Courtney said.

The Office of Justice Programs' Bureau of Justice Assistance oversees the BVP Program, Courtney said.

Courtney said other towns getting vest funding include Clinton ($2,000 for five vests), Groton ($1,612 for three vests), Madison ($4,125 for 10 vests), Norwich ($7,257 for 25 vests) and Stonington ($1,950 for a half-dozen vests).