Waukegan Mayor Ann B. Taylor | City of Waukegan/www.waukeganil.gov
Waukegan Mayor Ann B. Taylor | City of Waukegan/www.waukeganil.gov
The Waukegan City Council has approved accepting a grant that will reimburse the city for 50% of the costs for officer-issued bulletproof vests. The grant will cover vests purchased between October of this year through Aug. 31, 2025.
According to the Waukegan City Council agenda update for its Oct. 16 meeting, the grant is the 2023 Bureau of Justice Assistance Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership grant award for the Waukegan Police Department. The grant will provide reimbursements up to $44,625.
The vests will be purchased from the asset forfeiture fund, and the reimbursement funding will be allocated back into that fund, as stated in the Waukegan City Council agenda update.
"The Waukegan Police Department has received this grant numerous times, which has offset the cost of the officer-issued ballistic vests," said Waukegan Police Department Commander Francisco Lopez in a Justification letter.
Lopez also mentioned in the letter that the ballistic vests have a five-year warranty and are recommended for replacement every five years. The police department buys an estimated 30-35 ballistic vests each year at a current cost of $1,300.
This grant will provide significant financial assistance to the Waukegan Police Department, ensuring that officers have access to the necessary protective gear.
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