PRAIRIE GROVE -- If the need arises, Prairie Grove police officers will be able to respond to an active shooter situation wearing new body armor designed to protect them from a higher caliber round of ammunition.
A Prairie Grove resident, who asked to remain anonymous, recently donated $10,000 to the department to purchase 11 tactical vests and helmets. The donation was made after the sniper attack in July in which five Dallas police officers were shot and killed.
Capt. Jeff O'Brien said the citizen approached the police department wondering if officers had protection from the type of weapon used in the Dallas attack. When the man learned the department did not, he offered to donate money so the department could purchase the extra vests and helmets, O'Brien said.
"The general public will never see this unless we are responding to a call for a suspect with a gun," said Capt. Jeff O'Brien.
The new body armor provides pockets to carry extra ammunition and is made of a thicker, stronger material than the vests officers wear everyday under their uniform. The vests weigh 40-45 pounds.
O'Brien said the donation is just another example of how the community of Prairie Grove supports the police department.
"They recognize the need and they supply that need for us," O'Brien said. "Our community has been great to us. The week after the shooting in Dallas, we were inundated with cards, gift cards for the department and snacks. People were baking cakes and bringing them to us. During the whole month of July, we would go to pay for our meals at lunch and were told it had already been taken care of. Our community has stepped up and showed us love and support."
General News on 09/21/2016