By Emily Garland
Enterprise writer
Public safety is high on the list of police duties, but before protecting others, officers must first protect themselves. The police officers in 10 small communities, including Lake Forest Park, will be better equipped to do just that thanks to the more than $47,000 in grants they will collectively receive from the Department of Justice this year to aid in the purchase of bulletproof vests.
U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee announced the renewal of this federal funding, which was first passed by Congress June 27, 2000.
“Our law enforcement officers deserve the highest respect for serving our communities with valor and determination,” Inslee said in a written June 27, 2003 statement. “We also owe these officers the best safety equipment possible, and the funds announced today will help to achieve that goal. Recent officer injuries in Washington state demonstrate how important it is to protect our officers. Everyone hopes that no officer is injured in the line of duty, and we can all work to ensure these risks are reduced as much as possible. Safer officers mean safer communities. I am happy that the federal government can help make our communities safer through these funds.”
The funds Inslee spoke of were established to benefit all municipalities, but smaller communities under 100,000 inhabitants are given priority because they receive less federal funding and have tighter budgets. Fifty percent of the cost of the vests must be matched by the police department.
The Lake Forest Park Police Department will receive $2,798.58 to cover half the cost of 10 vests, five of which have already been purchased, and five more which will be bought in 2004.
Police Chief Dennis Peterson said his department is responsible for providing updated vests for all 22 of their officers, and the new vests will replace older vests which have overrun their five-year life span.
Peterson said the grant program allows the police department to purchase top-of-the-line vests and helps alleviate financial pressure.
“With times as they are, we would have to take money from some other program to pay for vests,” he said. “They are a needed item and we couldn’t work without them, so it really is a great program for us.”
The Lake Forest Park police department has received $4,500 in federal funding and 11 vests in the three years since its inception.
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