Police get grant for body armor

By: centraljersey.com
Evan Grossman
Staff Writer
EAST WINDSOR – The township’s crime-fighting force got a little stronger this week. Strong enough to stop a speeding bullet.
Local police officers received a necessary safety upgrade when it was announced the township was awarded three grants, for a total of $9,169, that will be used to replace and upgrade their bulletproof vests.
The town received grants from the United States Department of Justice ($3,510), the 2009 State Body Armor Replacement Fund Program ($3,890) and the 2010 State Body Armor Replacement Fund Program ($1,769) that will be used in the upkeep of the East Windsor Police’s bulletproof vests.
The funds received under the Body Armor Replacement Fund, according to a township press release, are used to supplement expenditures for the periodic replacement of body armor issued to East Windsor’s 44 police officers. Each of those officers is outfitted with a vest that they are required to use while on duty.
While there are no accounts of East Windsor officers taking fire in recent memory, body armor is seen as a precaution to protect the town’s police force, according to Mayor Janice Mironov.
"We are pleased to receive these federal and state grant awards," she said. "These funds will assist in the township’s efforts to outfit our police officers with equipment that will serve to enhance their personal safety."
The State Body Armor Fund is funded through a $1 surcharge collected on each fine, penalty of forfeiture imposed by a judge for any violation of motor vehicle laws in New Jersey. Money collected and deposited in the fund is used in making grants to local and state law enforcement agencies for the purchase of body vests. According to the mayor, the approximate cost of each vest outfitted to East Windsor cops is approximately $675.
Bulletproof vests are replaced every five years. egrossman @centraljersey.com.