Vermont State Police, other law enforcement agencies and the public donated about 1,000 body armor vests and 45 helmets, part of an extensive effort to collect the items and prepare them for shipment to Ukraine.
“This is a good use for this equipment, to help protect the people of Ukraine who are fighting for their freedom,” said state police Capt. Mike Manley, who coordinated the project. “We’re extremely grateful to our fellow law-enforcement agencies, the people of Vermont, and members of the public from outside our state who stepped up and made generous donations.”
Earlier this month, state police announced the donation drive and had since received donations of used and expired armor from across the Northeast. In total, they collected roughly 6,600 pounds of armor, according to a state police press release. The gear included “about 875 soft-armor vests and 125 tactical vests,” police said.
– Ethan Weinstein
