A number of police departments in Monroe County will benefit from the first ground of grants in a state program designed to provide them with bullet proof vests.
State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman came to Rochester on Monday, to say that 234 vests will be divided up among several local departments. The $90,000 that will be used to pay for the vests comes from proceeds obtained from criminals after their convictions.
Schneiderman says the funding is needed since a lack of action by Congress led to funds for a previous program to supply the vests drying up.
"Bullet proof vests do not have an infinite life, so in addition to providing vests for new officers, this program enables people to replace vests and over time, people need different kinds of vests, so this is very important for replacing as well as providing vests for new officers.”
Among those appearing at a Rochester news conference concerning the funding was Officer Luca Martini, who says that a bullet proof vest saved his life in 2009 when he was shot at after responding to a 911 call.
“I was shot three times at close range with a 357 caliber magnum handgun. Once through my left hand, once through my right arm and another to my upper body which was stopped by my duty issued bullet proof vest. There's no doubt that the vest saved my life.”
There are also some funds being allocated to police departments in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming Counties.
