TRENTON — The Office of Attorney General announced that the Division of Criminal Justice is distributing nearly $3.6 million to over 500 New Jersey law enforcement agencies for the purchase of bullet resistant vests.
According to Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor, the funding is being made available to state, county and local law enforcement and corrections agencies via the state’s Body Armor Replacement Fund. Established in 1998, the fund is replenished through a $1 surcharge on traffic tickets and forfeitures of bail.
Law enforcement agencies were notified of their award Nov. 1. Grants were awarded to each of the 544 agencies that applied.
“In these tough economic times police are hard-pressed to find money for new equipment,” said Taylor in a press release. “This $3.6 million in funding will help insure that one of the most crucial pieces of equipment – lifesaving body armor – will not be outdated and worn out when our officers hit the streets…”
Cape May County law enforcement agencies are slated to receive a total of $47,655.21, including $4,419.54 to Middle Township.
“With over 50 sworn officers on the street, it gets expensive,” Middle Police Chief Chris Leusner told the Herald.
According to Leusner a vest has a lifespan of approximately 5 years. At a cost of almost $800 per vest, the township will be able to purchase 6 new vests.
“It’s a grant we apply for every year,” said Leusner.
Capt. John Edwards and Capt. Paul Fritch were responsible for writing the grant for Middle Township.
Other county municipalities receiving grants include: Avalon Police ($2,289.36), Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office ($3.652.68), Cape May County Sheriff’s Office ($11,662.18), Cape May Police ($2,374.56), Lower Township Police ($3,908.30), North Wildwood Police ($2,885.81), Ocean City Police ($5,527.24), Sea Isle City Police ($2544.98), Stone Harbor Police ($1,948.53), West Wildwood Police ($1,011.24), Wildwood Police ($3,141,43) and Wildwood Crest Police ($2,289.36).
A county-by-county, agency-by-agency list of the grant recipients is available at www.njpublicsafety.com
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