Monongahela: Police have new safety vests

By Eric Seiverling

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

After a two-year wait, the Monongahela Police Department has received its new tactical vests.

The vests recently arrived, and police Chief Kevin Harris joined members of the Monongahela Revitalization Corporation to display the new gear for a ceremony at the July 24 Farmers Market in Chess Park.

After MARC raised more than $6,500 for the vests earlier this year, that amount was matched by a federal grant. To receive the grant, the department had to match the federal funds dollar-for-dollar. The money had to be used by September of this year.

The department received 11 vests from Florida-based law enforcement equipment manufacturer Safariland. The vests will replace 11 outdated vests that reached their expiration date.

MARC secretary Michelle DeHosse said the nonprofit group achieved its goal after generous support from local businesses and private donations.

“We had a lot of private donations come in,” DeHosse said. “When the call goes out, this community steps up.”

MARC was alerted to the vests campaign in the fall of 2019 when Monongahela Police Chief Kevin Harris contacted the organization to help the department with its fundraising efforts.

The cost of one vest is approximately $1,000 and vests expire after five years, according to Harris.

In April, MARC reached its $6,500 goal, which guaranteed the police department would receive the grant.

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