Protect the Blue!
Donation protected
Photo by Smiley N. Pool, The Dallas Morning News
Protect the Blue! #DallasStrong!
Can you imagine the fear of a spouse or parent or child as they watch their loved one run towards gunfire like that experienced recently in Dallas, all the time knowing that the protective gear they are wearing will provide very little protection against the ammunition being fired? That is exactly what is happening today. Criminals are no longer using handguns or low powered rifles. Criminals are often armed with AK-47s, AR-15s and other military grade, high-powered rifles. Only “Level 3 Standard armor” protects against these weapons but most officers do not have this available to them. Vests of this caliber cost over $1,000 per person and are not provided by the police department. The only way officers can wear these vests is if they buy them for themselves. Some have stretched and purchased their own but many others simply cannot afford them.
Right now, Dallas is grieving, as are many other cities that have felt the rash of police targeted shootings. Being a police officer is, admittedly, a dangerous job. However, it should not be made more dangerous due to financial constraints. Ideally, the police force would be able to pass a budget to provide this type of equipment to its officers, but this is not a fast process. Every day that passes without providing these officers the correct equipment is a day that another officer could be killed. The only thing more tragic than the loss of five Dallas officers’ lives is knowing that if the officers were provided superior body armor, some of those lives might have been saved. We all grieve for the families that have experienced loss, but we must do more to prevent future loss. We, as a city, must pull together and protect those who protect us!
There are over 3000 police officers on the Dallas Police force alone. Hundreds of these officers are tasked with serving high risk warrants, felony warrants, tracking down and arresting armed and dangerous fugitives or gang members and many other hazardous tasks. These assignments can greatly increase the likelihood of officers encountering high-powered firearms. Every $1,000 raised provides protection for one officer and may literally save his or her life, which in turn may well save yours. Every amount counts, so please give whatever you are able! Protect those who protect us!
WHAT POLICE ARE CURRENTLY ISSUED: The Dallas Police Department does issue protective vests to all their officers, but they only issue soft Kevlar vests, which may have been adequate at one time, but are not effective against today’s weapons. Soft Kevlar vests stop bullets from some handguns, but they are useless against high-powered rifles like those used in the Dallas ambush. The Ceramic Standard Level 3 vests, although only 6-7 pounds for front, back and side panels, protect against most high-powered weapons and also allow plain clothes officers to be readily identified by other officers and not be mistaken as suspects. Officers can also attach additional equipment to the vests such as ammunition and first aid kits, which can easily make a difference between officers and citizens living and dying. The photo below depicts a Ceramic Standard Level 3 vest recently purchased by a Dallas Police officer with his own funds.
DISTRIBUTION: As funds are raised for this armor, 5H Outdoors, a local gun and sporting goods distributor, has volunteered to provide Ceramic Standard Level 3 vests at cost for any officers using the money from the fund. They will not take a profit. Distribution of the vests will be based on a sign-up list for all officers requesting to use the vests. The list will be open to Dallas Police, SWAT, DART Police and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department. As money becomes available, officers will be contacted and the vests will be immediately purchased and distributed.
TO SIGN UP: Officers wishing to sign up to receive the vests should email [email redacted] and provide their name, and contact information. As funds become available, they will be contacted for further information. Our goal will be adjusted if the number of officers requesting vests exceeds our current goal.
Protect the Blue! #DallasStrong!
Can you imagine the fear of a spouse or parent or child as they watch their loved one run towards gunfire like that experienced recently in Dallas, all the time knowing that the protective gear they are wearing will provide very little protection against the ammunition being fired? That is exactly what is happening today. Criminals are no longer using handguns or low powered rifles. Criminals are often armed with AK-47s, AR-15s and other military grade, high-powered rifles. Only “Level 3 Standard armor” protects against these weapons but most officers do not have this available to them. Vests of this caliber cost over $1,000 per person and are not provided by the police department. The only way officers can wear these vests is if they buy them for themselves. Some have stretched and purchased their own but many others simply cannot afford them.
Right now, Dallas is grieving, as are many other cities that have felt the rash of police targeted shootings. Being a police officer is, admittedly, a dangerous job. However, it should not be made more dangerous due to financial constraints. Ideally, the police force would be able to pass a budget to provide this type of equipment to its officers, but this is not a fast process. Every day that passes without providing these officers the correct equipment is a day that another officer could be killed. The only thing more tragic than the loss of five Dallas officers’ lives is knowing that if the officers were provided superior body armor, some of those lives might have been saved. We all grieve for the families that have experienced loss, but we must do more to prevent future loss. We, as a city, must pull together and protect those who protect us!
There are over 3000 police officers on the Dallas Police force alone. Hundreds of these officers are tasked with serving high risk warrants, felony warrants, tracking down and arresting armed and dangerous fugitives or gang members and many other hazardous tasks. These assignments can greatly increase the likelihood of officers encountering high-powered firearms. Every $1,000 raised provides protection for one officer and may literally save his or her life, which in turn may well save yours. Every amount counts, so please give whatever you are able! Protect those who protect us!
WHAT POLICE ARE CURRENTLY ISSUED: The Dallas Police Department does issue protective vests to all their officers, but they only issue soft Kevlar vests, which may have been adequate at one time, but are not effective against today’s weapons. Soft Kevlar vests stop bullets from some handguns, but they are useless against high-powered rifles like those used in the Dallas ambush. The Ceramic Standard Level 3 vests, although only 6-7 pounds for front, back and side panels, protect against most high-powered weapons and also allow plain clothes officers to be readily identified by other officers and not be mistaken as suspects. Officers can also attach additional equipment to the vests such as ammunition and first aid kits, which can easily make a difference between officers and citizens living and dying. The photo below depicts a Ceramic Standard Level 3 vest recently purchased by a Dallas Police officer with his own funds.
DISTRIBUTION: As funds are raised for this armor, 5H Outdoors, a local gun and sporting goods distributor, has volunteered to provide Ceramic Standard Level 3 vests at cost for any officers using the money from the fund. They will not take a profit. Distribution of the vests will be based on a sign-up list for all officers requesting to use the vests. The list will be open to Dallas Police, SWAT, DART Police and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department. As money becomes available, officers will be contacted and the vests will be immediately purchased and distributed.
TO SIGN UP: Officers wishing to sign up to receive the vests should email [email redacted] and provide their name, and contact information. As funds become available, they will be contacted for further information. Our goal will be adjusted if the number of officers requesting vests exceeds our current goal.
Organizer and beneficiary
David Hunt
Organizer
Dallas, TX
Dallas Police
Beneficiary