Council will Advocate for Funds to Provide NYPD Officers With New Bulletproof Vests

City Hall — City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Council Member Vincent Gentile, Finance Committee Chair Julissa Ferreras, Public Safety Committee Chair Vanessa Gibson and the New York City Council today proposed allocating $7.3 million in the FY 2016 preliminary budget and additional funds in the coming years to replace existing bulletproof vests. The funds will ensure NYPD continues to have the most advanced and effective technology and will cost approximately $600 per vest. The City Council has a long history of supporting funding for bulletproof vests. In 2006, the City Council successfully advocated for funds to provide new bulletproof vests to NYPD officers.
“We must ensure that the brave men and women of the NYPD have all the resources they need to stay safe when they are out protecting New Yorkers,” said Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “This City Council is committed to supporting our police officers and that starts by ensuring they have the most up-to-date and advanced technology at their disposal. Modern, reliable bulletproof vests will help ensure that police officers throughout the City are safe and the City Council is proud to support funding for this critical initiative which will help save lives.”
“New York City’s police force is unparalleled and we owe it to our officers to ensure they have the resources they need to stay safe as they protect New Yorkers,” said Council Member Vincent Gentile. “The City Council is a staunch supporter of the NYPD and we are proud to do our part to make sure all NYPD officers have new bulletproof vests. I thank Speaker Mark-Viverito and my Council colleagues for supporting this lifesaving initiative and the NYPD for putting their lives on the line every day to keep our City safe.”
“New York City has the finest police force in the world and we must make sure the courageous men and women who serve on the NYPD have the tools they need to stay safe,” said Finance Committee Chair Julissa Ferreras. “The City Council is proud to support the NYPD and advocate for bulletproof vests for NYPD officers throughout the City and I thank my Council colleagues for supporting this important initiative.”
“Keeping our NYPD officers safe is paramount to the safety of all New Yorkers,” said Public Safety Committee Chair Vanessa Gibson. “Bullet proof vests help save lives and I’m proud of the City Council’s efforts to ensure every single police officer will have a brand new bulletproof vest. I thank my Council colleagues for supporting this much needed initiative and thank the NYPD for the work they do every day to protect our City.”

##