Monongahela police get help from cfsbank, MARC

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

The Monongahela Police Department’s efforts to secure new bulletproof vests received a boost when members of cfsbank and the Monongahela Area Revitalization Corporation made a donation to the police department Thursday.

Receiving the $1,000 donation from the bank and MARC were Monongahela police Chief Kevin Harris and Sgt. Ryan Lenzi.

The donation will be doubled, as MARC is matching the bank’s $1,000 contribution.

“We’re very happy to have a community like this,” Harris said after receiving the donation. “It’s tough right now in this day and age.”

The efforts to raise money for the vests began late last year when Harris approached MARC about the police department’s needs for bulletproof gear.

MARC is a nonprofit organization made up of volunteers living, working or interested in the sustained development of the Greater Monongahela area, including Carroll Township, Monongahela and New Eagle.

According to Harris, bulletproof vests have a life span of five years, and even come with an expiration date. Of the 22 certified police officers in the Monongahela Police Department, Harris said 15 officers do not have a bulletproof vest that would be compliant with current National Institute of Justice standards. 

The Monongahela Police Department was recently awarded a $6,500 federal Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant, which will be used to cover up to 50% of the cost of each vest.

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