Over $60,000 coming to Shore law enforcement agencies

Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) announced Monday $142,000 in federal monies have been approved to partially fund the purchase new bulletproof vests for law enforcement agencies across the state. Over a third of that money will end up on the Eastern Shore at agencies such as the Wicomico County Sheriff’s office.

According to Wicomico County Sheriff’s office officials, the federal money pays for half the cost, while the law enforcement agency itself will have foot the other half of the bill.

It’s not that they don’t have enough vests officials say, but that each one basically has an expiration date. According to law enforcement officials, each bulletproof vest has about a five year life expectancy. This year Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office will be getting 32 new bullet proof vests to replace older models.

“We’re changing our vests to a thinner vest that’s more flexible for the deputies so when they’re moving it’s not as stringent upon their upper torso area. It’s a little thinner, a little bit more flexibility,” said Lt. Richard Wiersberg of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office.

The new vests Wiersbergs said will be gender specific. Each deputy will get fitted for his or her own vest, which must be worn when on field duty according to Wiersberg.

As for their old vests, they’ll go to cadets to wear as they go through the academy Wiersberg said, so cadets can get used to the feel of wearing that extra protective layer.

According to state officials seven other law enforcement agencies will also get bulletproof vest funding. Nationally officials said the federal government will spend $18.2 million on nearly 4,000 jurisdictions, which will help buy 49,000 new vests.