An Update from Congressman Chris Deluzio
Keeping our Cops Safe
Congressman Chris Deluzio, Pennsylvania's 17th District
We've got to have safe communities, and that means making sure our cops have what they need to stay safe while protecting and serving all of us. September's horrible shooting in York County, where three officers were killed and two wounded in the line of duty, is a terrible reminder of how dangerous their jobs are. We should do everything we can to make sure our officers come home safely at the end of the day.
When Allegheny County Housing Authority Police Chief Mike Vogel meet with me in my Carnegie District Office this past spring and told me how his department and others are getting crushed by the rising costs of bulletproof vests, I wanted to help.
That's why I proudly introduced new legislation: the Bipartisan Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program Expansion Act. This bill would get lifesaving gear to more cops on the beat.
More specifically, the bill would:
Increase the rate of reimbursement from 50% TO 60% for law enforcement agencies participating in Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Program, and
Boost funding for the BVP Program to $60 million a year.
I want to thank Chief Vogel for bringing this idea to me and for his tireless service to the community. This is something that we can get behind, and I hope we can move it forward down in Washington.
I'll always go to bat for our cops.
And remember if I can help you or your family with any issue, you're having with a federal government agency, please let me know. I've got district offices in Carnegie, Center Township, and Penn Hills, and my team stands ready to help. Give us a call (412) 344-5583.
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Very respectfully,
Chris Deluzio
Member of Congress