Fort Worth (WBAP/KLIF News) – A private group has donated $355,000 for Fort Worth police to buy 900 vests to protect officers. Officers already wear bullet proof vests, but enhanced ballistic vests can withstand a shot from a rifle.
“They’ve been wearing vests, that’s great, but they won’t stop a rifle,” says Mayor Betsy Price. “To have these that will gives our officers that protection and peace of mind.”
The Mallick Group made the donation and has launched an effort to raise more money for Fort Worth police by launching the website, protectthefort.com.
“It’s a great way to for the community to come together and celebrate our officers who really do put their life on the line for all of us, and we keep having people say, ‘What can we do?'” Price says.
The donation was the largest ever for Fort Worth police.’
Officer Matt Pearce was shot earlier this year. He hopes to return to duty by the anniversary of the shooting in March.
Pearce says the vests can help officers stay ahead of criminals who are adapting as well.
“You can’t be prepared for everything that’s to come in this business. Once you think you’re prepared, you’re going to see something new that you’ve never seen before,” Pearce says. “Bad guys adapt to way we do, and we’ve got to adapt to what they do.”
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