As Crime Surges in $hitcago , Never Forget Cops Had To Hold Pancake Breakfast To Raise Money for New Bulletproof Vests
August 15, 2020
As Chicago becomes increasingly violent, it would only make sense that the Windy City’s police department would have more bulletproof vests.
Unfortunately, as a report from Chicago’s local ABC affiliate proves, city government has no interest in providing the men and women in blue with such life-saving equipment.
As the WLS-TV report noted, “Bulletproof vests need to be replaced every five years. The cost is $500 or more, all coming out of the pockets of officers.”
Since the city showed no desire to help the police afford that equipment, it was up to a pro-police group to find enough funds to pay for the vests.
In an effort to do the job the city of Chicago would not do, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation held a pancake breakfast last October to raise the funds necessary to buy bulletproof vests.
Ultimately, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation has raised enough to buy 8,000 bulletproof vests over the past five years.
The breakfast was part of the foundation’s “Get Behind the Vest” initiative.
"Since we started the program, we’ve had 44 officers saved by their vests,” foundation member Bridget Schuda said.
The Chicago Memorial Police Foundation’s website lays out disturbing statistics explaining the rationale behind the push for bulletproof vests.
A graphic on the website describes how “75% of Chicago police officer deaths in the line of duty have been gunfire related.”
Discussing the impact of “one bullet,” the graphic explains that “It can shatter ribs. Pierce lungs. Penetrate organs. Cause internal bleeding. Trigger a heart attack. Induce shock. Create paralysis. One bullet can end a police officer’s life. Or, it can hit their vest and do nothing.”
The website also features videos documenting real-life examples of how bulletproof vests can save an officer’s life.
One particular officer found himself in the middle of a gunfight where “56 rounds were fired.”
Yet, because of his bulletproof vest, he needed only “a few stitches” and returned to work within five weeks.
While it’s sad they had to rely on a pancake breakfast to secure funding for bulletproof vests, Chicago police officers probably are glad they have them: July 2020 was Chicago’s bloodiest month since September 1992; 570 people were shot and 107 slain last month.
https://www.westernjournal.com/crime-surges-c...bc56940893
August 15, 2020
As Chicago becomes increasingly violent, it would only make sense that the Windy City’s police department would have more bulletproof vests.
Unfortunately, as a report from Chicago’s local ABC affiliate proves, city government has no interest in providing the men and women in blue with such life-saving equipment.
As the WLS-TV report noted, “Bulletproof vests need to be replaced every five years. The cost is $500 or more, all coming out of the pockets of officers.”
Since the city showed no desire to help the police afford that equipment, it was up to a pro-police group to find enough funds to pay for the vests.
In an effort to do the job the city of Chicago would not do, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation held a pancake breakfast last October to raise the funds necessary to buy bulletproof vests.
Ultimately, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation has raised enough to buy 8,000 bulletproof vests over the past five years.
The breakfast was part of the foundation’s “Get Behind the Vest” initiative.
"Since we started the program, we’ve had 44 officers saved by their vests,” foundation member Bridget Schuda said.
The Chicago Memorial Police Foundation’s website lays out disturbing statistics explaining the rationale behind the push for bulletproof vests.
A graphic on the website describes how “75% of Chicago police officer deaths in the line of duty have been gunfire related.”
Discussing the impact of “one bullet,” the graphic explains that “It can shatter ribs. Pierce lungs. Penetrate organs. Cause internal bleeding. Trigger a heart attack. Induce shock. Create paralysis. One bullet can end a police officer’s life. Or, it can hit their vest and do nothing.”
The website also features videos documenting real-life examples of how bulletproof vests can save an officer’s life.
One particular officer found himself in the middle of a gunfight where “56 rounds were fired.”
Yet, because of his bulletproof vest, he needed only “a few stitches” and returned to work within five weeks.
While it’s sad they had to rely on a pancake breakfast to secure funding for bulletproof vests, Chicago police officers probably are glad they have them: July 2020 was Chicago’s bloodiest month since September 1992; 570 people were shot and 107 slain last month.
https://www.westernjournal.com/crime-surges-c...bc56940893
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